Scientists have long been interested in the idea that there is a connection between diabetes and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Both conditions are on the rise. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri believe they may have found the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The answer lies in blood sugar levels in the body.
The Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer’s
In their study, published in the spring of 2015, researchers from Washington University used mice to explore how blood glucose affected the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists first injected glucose into the bloodstreams of young mice bred to develop an Alzheimer’s-like condition but otherwise healthy. They discovered that when glucose levels in the blood were doubled, the levels of amyloid beta in the brain increased by 20 percent. Amyloid beta is a primary factor in the brain plaques many believe cause Alzheimer’s disease.
When scientists repeated the experiment using older mice that were already shown to have brain plaques, amyloid beta levels rose by as much as 40 percent.
Diabetes Type II Prevention Tips
If you are an adult child caring for a senior in the Midwest who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, you may already be concerned that your genetics put you at increased risk for this debilitating disease. While familial links and Alzheimer’s are still being researched, there are steps you can take to prevent diabetes. Doing so may ultimately help you prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease.
STAT is a diabetes prevention program developed by a partnership between the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through the use of this acronym, they hope to help raise awareness and help turn the tide of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes.
- Screen: Using the online assessment tool, you can quickly evaluate your risk for prediabetes.
- Test: Talk to your primary care physician about your concerns. He or she can order a blood glucose test to screen you for diabetes.
- Act Today: Find a Diabetes Prevention program in your area by searching the CDC’s database.
Finally, a healthy lifestyle is considered to be the best way to prevent Type II Diabetes. This means:
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Commit to 30 minutes of exercise each day.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
We hope this information helps you learn more about diabetes prevention. As new research on the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer’s becomes available, we will continue to share it with our readers.
Anna Foster
Executive Director, Bridle Brook Assisted Living
Anna Foster is a native of Illinois and worked as a Nurse’s Assistant until graduating from The Chicago Public School Of Nursing in 1989. For the past 25 years she has striven for, and attained excellence, in every aspect of the Senior Care field. Her innovation and passion for Memory Care has improved the lives of Seniors across the county. We are very proud to have Anna as Executive Director of Bridle Brook. Her hands-on, cheerful and practical approach is guaranteed to brighten the day of every resident and visitor to this beautiful community.
