Mind Games: Diabetes' Effect on the Brain

Most people know the word "diabetes" but couldn't explain the condition if they tried! Diabetes is commonly defined as the lack of insulin or resistance to insulin in the body. Insulin is produced in the pancreas and the brain. Insulin controls the glucose levels in the blood. Children with Type-1 diabetes suffer from low blood glucose and sometimes have problems with spatial memory such as locations and places. One recent study, discussed by Jeanette Pollack, showed low blood sugar affected the brain in a negative way and caused memory problems. People with diabetes have a high probability of developing Alzheimer's disease. Diabetes affects the bloodstream which affects the brain which can cause memory problems.

To protect against this memory loss, a change in diet is recommended. Eat foods with fiber, protein, and calcium. These can stimulate the blood flow and help replace any lost nutrients. Exercise is an excellent promoter of increasing the circulation. Using your brain with stimulating games and problems can help keep the brain alert and active. Short term memory is generally affected. Damage can be kept at a minimum by stimulating the brain. Staying physically fit and healthy will help prevent the possibility of memory lost due to diabetes.

Insulin produced in the brain plays a role in memory. Insulin signals may be ignored by cells due to diabetes, and the brain may not receive the glucose energy needed. This may cause a loss of brain cells and memory. According to Pollack, increased insulin can boost beta amyloid, a protein which can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Glucose and insulin regulate brain functions such as memory. Fluctuations in the glucose levels can affect the insulin in the brain or possibly damage brain cells. Areas in the brain which respond to low blood sugar and regulate energy balance, weight, and sensitivity to insulin can all be affected.

Treatment for this would include exercise, a proper diet, medication which controls the glucose level, and possibly injections of insulin. With these treatments the effects caused by diabetes can be slowed and possibly reversed. More research is being done about the correlation of diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Damage can be slowed and possibly prevented it steps are taken during the early signs. Diabetics should be aware of all research done in this area as they age, so they can be fully prepared of the possibilities of diabetes being linked to Alzheimer's.