I have often said that I thought there was a link between too much glucose and dementia/alzheimers.
For decades, researchers have been studying the effects of sugar on our bodies. From weight gain to heart disease, sugar has been linked to a wide range of health problems. However, recent studies have shown that there may be a link between sugar and dementia
Today for the first time, I have actually heard that there is such a thing.
And it is a thing. And it is interesting.
As quoted by. (the Glucose Goddess on Instagram)
‘A glucose spike is what happens after a meal if you eat too many starches and sugars. Its a rapid increase in how much glucose is in your body. Specifically for your brain, this means a couple of things. Instead of your brain having nice steady energy coming through, its experiencing this roller coaster, this spike and this dip. This can lead to many different symptoms. It can lead to brain fog, because that glucose roller coaster can slow down the speed of the signals between your neurones and that can be felt as brain fog. It can affect your mood. It can make you more irritable. It can make you hangry. It can make you sad. It can make your mental health worse. And then long term, being on a glucose roller coaster is linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. So your brain, if you want to take it really good care of it, make sure that you have steady glucose, not this big roller coaster going on.’
According to Alz.org
” Most people with diabetes have Type 2, which is linked to lack of exercise and being overweight. When diabetes is not controlled, too much sugar remains in the blood. Over time, this can damage organs, including the brain. Scientists are finding more evidence that could link Type 2 diabetes with Alzheimer’s disease, the most commoncause of dementia. Several research studies following large groups over many years suggest that adults with Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.”
And I found an amazing article on health line.com and quote from it as follows:
“High sugar intake and high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.
One of the reasons is that too much sugar can cause inflammation. This can lead to many chronic conditions, including dementias like Alzheimer’s.
Recent studies have highlighted the link between high sugar levels and Alzheimer’s.
A 2022 study with 37,689 people found a link between high sugar intake and increased Alzheimer’s risk among women.
Those who consumed about 10 grams (2.4 teaspoons) of sugar per day had the largest risk increase. Lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products, had the strongest link to Alzheimer’s among the sugar types studied.
High blood sugar from diabetes is also a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. It can promote the growth of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark feature of Alzheimer’s. And while researchers once thought this was true for mostly older adults, they now find that the risk can begin earlier.
A 2022 study with 4,932 people found that the link between Alzheimer’s, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol can begin as early as age 35. Researchers followed the participants over decades. They found that managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels early may help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later.
A smaller 2022 study also showed that higher blood sugar levels over a period as short as 1 year can affect Alzheimer’s and dementia risk.
The study included 105 people who were cognitively healthy at the start of the study. Researchers found that as fasting blood sugar levels rose, people developed more brain imaging markers of cognitive decline, regardless of body weight and insulin differences.
Finally, a 2017 study also found increased markers for Alzheimer’s in people who consumed higher amounts of sugary beverages and fruit juice.
One limitation of the study was that participants were mostly white, so the results may not reflect the larger population.”
So it certainly does seem that there is a link between sugar and dementia and we can all do something about it for ourselves and our loved ones.
By: Julie Hiener
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