Dementia is a scary thought for anyone, but it’s especially concerning for those living with diabetes. A recent study has shown that seven lifestyle factors might help to lower the risk of dementia for people with diabetes. If you’re looking to keep your mind sharp as you age, read on for more information about these factors!
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body cannot process insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar levels. When diabetes is not well-controlled, blood sugar levels can become too high, damaging the nerves and blood vessels. Over time, this damage can lead to serious complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.
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Diabetes is also a major risk factor for dementia, a general term for a decline in cognitive function. It can cause problems with memory, language, and decision-making. People with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop dementia than those without diabetes.
While there is no cure for diabetes or dementia, a new study has shown that both conditions can be managed through lifestyle changes, including physical activity and a healthy diet. By making healthy choices and staying on top of their treatment plan, people with diabetes can help to lower their risk of developing dementia.
The study published in the journal Neurology looked at a healthcare database in the United Kingdom and identified 167,946 people 60 or older with and without diabetes who did not have dementia at the start of the study. All participants completed health questionnaires, gave blood samples, and provided physical measurements.
Researchers calculated a healthy lifestyle score with one point for each of the seven healthy habits. These habits included:
- Not currently smoking
- Moderate alcohol consumption of up to one drink a day for women and up to two a day for men
- Regular exercise of at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise
- A healthy diet includes more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish and fewer refined grains, processed and unprocessed meats
- Watching television less than four hours a day
- Frequent social contact
- Seven to nine hours of sleep daily
Over twelve years of follow-up, it was found that 4,351 people developed dementia. A total of 4% of the people followed only zero to two of the healthy habits, 11% followed three, 22% followed four, 30% followed five, 24% followed six, and 9% followed all seven.
Overall, after adjusting for factors like age, education, and ethnicity, people who followed all the habits had a 54% lower risk of dementia than those who followed two or fewer.
Maintaining Brain Function and Blood Sugar
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As people age, taking steps to help maintain blood sugar and cognitive brain function is vital. Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes that are also helpful for general health can help reduce the risks of dementia and diabetes.
Healthy Blood Sugar Support can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels using several ingredients that have been proven in clinical studies. The health benefits of this unique formula include supporting blood-sugar metabolism and promoting healthy cholesterol and glucose levels already within the normal range. Healthy Blood Sugar Support can also help to reduce excessive hunger or increased appetite, fatigue, and blood glucose spikes after meals.
The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. The formulation of these ingredients is an excellent way to help fight free radicals, boost circulation, and provide nutritional support to assist with cognitive function.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
