Blood Sugar and Brain Health

The direct connection between elevated blood sugars and the development of Alzheimer’s or dementia is unclear.  However, recent evidence shows that how energy is metabolized or made available in the brain is altered and can be a factor in how the brain may function over time.  Researchers have shown that damage to vessels in the body from elevations in blood sugar increase risk of stroke and heart disease, so it does follow that damage to blood vessels that supply the brain caused by elevations in blood sugar can also increase risk of early onset memory loss and clarity of thinking as well.  Inflammation also might play a key role in how the brain functions.  Many studies are looking at both diabetic therapies and lifestyle modification as a way to either treat, prevent or reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s or dementia.   What is clear is that prevention of diabetes is an effective strategy to reduce the likelihood of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.  Eating a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits and balancing plant and animal proteins in the diet can be effective ways to help reduce inflammation and improve health.