The Connection Between Diabetes and Brain Health
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Diabetes can impact all parts of the body, including your eyes and feet. The condition can also affect your brain function.
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood sugars. This can result from a reduction or inability to secrete insulin or the body’s resistance to insulin. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar, or blood glucose. Unregulated blood sugar can lead to many complications, including heart disease, stroke, damage to nerves in your feet and damage to your retina in your eye that can lead to blurred vision or blindness.
More than 38 million or about 11%of Americans have either Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes, diabetes that occurs when a woman is pregnant Another 97 million or about 38% of Americans have prediabetes, a condition when the blood sugars are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Among adults 65 and older, about one-third have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition was the eighth leading cause of death among Americans in 2021, and the risk increases with age.
How does diabetes affect your brain?
Glucose is incredibly important to your brain because it serves as fuel for the brain. Your brain uses half the amount of sugar in your body to function, according to the CDC. Unregulated blood sugar damages blood vessels and causes:
- Memory loss
- Stroke
- Mood changes
- Cognitive decline or impaired function
When your blood sugar is too high, or hyperglycemic, it damages the blood vessels resulting in blood flow restriction and decreased oxygen delivery. This causes brain cells to die and can lead to vascular dementia, according to the CDC. Low blood sugar can impair the brain’s ability to utilize oxygen properly which can result in dizziness, difficulty talking, unconsciousness and possibly even coma and death.
Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes that generally occurs as we age, is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia if it is not well-controlled, according to a study. Adults with the condition are more likely to experience declines in executive function, memory, attention and information-processing speed.
Diabetes and prediabetes are linked to accelerated brain aging, according to the American Diabetes Association.
How do I keep my brain healthy?
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor to set a blood sugar target and how best to control it. Also, talk to your health provider about identifying cognitive impairment in annual checkups.
Living a healthy lifestyle can counteract brain aging related to diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Take steps to maintain a lifestyle to keep your entire body healthy and lower risks from diabetes, such as:
- Eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Limit ultra-processed foods such as lunchmeat and bacon.
- Avoid sugary drinks.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Manage stress.
- Keep your blood sugar levels within your target levels.
- Take all medications as prescribed.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network offer diabetes management and prevention programs. Check your Blue Cross benefits to see what options are available to you.
Image: Getty Images
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