Blood Sugar and Memory Impairment

Blood Sugar and Memory Impairment.. A new study reveals a link between high levels, but not pathological, sugar in the blood and the presence of memory impairment.

If it is known that high levels of sugar in the blood of diabetics are associated with the onset of memory problems, this study claims that this phenomenon could even affect people whose blood sugar in the blood is lower than that of a diabetic.

Levels of high blood glucose, but still significantly lower than those of a diabetic, would be associated with memory problems, according to this German study. While memory problems have already been demonstrated for diabetics and those with prediabetics, the existence of such problems have also been demonstrated in individuals with blood glucose below the threshold considered pathological.

 

To achieve the results, 141 volunteers were used in a study in Berlin, Germany. All were aged 50 to 80 years, none of them were diabetics, nor showed any memory problems. Ten hours after their last meal, the volunteers performed a blood test. Then they were given a memory test ( known as the “Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test “), during which they were given the task to memorize as many words as possible within a group of 15 words, then to remember after different periods of time.

Result? Volunteers with higher blood glucose levels were higher performed worse than those with lower blood sugar levels’. But does this mean that high sugar in blood generates memory problems in healthy adults? For now, it is impossible to affirm the existence of such a causal link. What has been observed is a simple correlation and new experiments should be performed to analyze this in more detail in order to understand its nature.

However, it should be noted that a study conducted in 2012 had revealed the existence of a correlation between rates of high blood glucose and the presence of lesions in the hippocampus, the brain area involved in the memory processing.

Finally, it should be noted that a previous study had already pointed out the fact that older people that have a level of higher blood sugar, but still lower than that of a diabetic were more likely to develop cognitive problems than people of the same age with a low levels of blood glucose. (” Glucose levels and Risk of Dementia ” study).

This new study was published in the “Neurology” journal in October 2013, under the title “Higher glucose levels were associated with lower memory and reduced hippocampal microstructure.”

People with a healthy lifestyle often have better cognitive performance. Thus, having a balanced diet, not smoking and doing physical exercise promotes memory. There are several strategies to lower blood glucose. The first is to lose weight if you are overweight. You can follow a diet low glycemic load. You can also follow a healthy Mediterranean diet.

You should also include a regular physical activity, starting with the daily walk, if possible after meals to reduce the level of blood sugar levels after eating. Strength training can reduce blood sugar by increasing the muscle mass and should ideally be combined with walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or any other activity that includes endurance. Cross-fit combines strength training and aerobic exercise.

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