A study conducted by Dr. Paul Crane of the University of Washington in Seattle sought out to determine whether higher glucose levels increase the risk of dementia in people without diabetes.
Currently, about 6.8 million people in the U.S. have some type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, affecting 5.4 million people, a number that is projected to double by 2040, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
More than 8% of American adults and children have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, a number that is expected to grow in conjunction with the rise in rates of obesity, which is a risk factor for the Type 2 form of the disease. Diabetes is diagnosed when the body can’t produce enough insulin or use insulin properly to remove sugar from the bloodstream. When blood sugar remains too high, it can damage organs and lead to heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage and many other complications.
The study involved 2,067 people 65 and older and lasted nearly 7 years. Dr. Crane’s study found that higher blood-sugar levels, even those well short of diabetes, raise the risk of developing dementia. Researchers say keeping glucose at a healthy level is a great new way to try to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Further studies are necessary to determine whether lowering an individual’s blood sugar would help treat or prevent dementia.
To read more about the study click here. For more information on the link between diabetes and dementia click here.
New Findings Reveal a Link Between High Blood Sugar and Risk for Alzheimer’s
