Maintaining Stable Blood Sugar Levels Might Lower Dementia Risk for Seniors with Diabetes
Recent research suggests that maintaining stable blood sugar levels could potentially reduce the risk of developing dementia in Type 2 diabetes patients. A study published in JAMA Network Open in August found that a stable hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia in older Type 2 diabetes patients.
The HbA1c is a three-month average of blood glucose levels expressed as a percentage. It is used to evaluate blood sugar control. The study, which included 374,021 older veterans with diabetes, found that extreme glucose levels measured by HbA1c are linked to an increase in dementia incidence. Participants with a greater time below their target range had a significant risk.
Maintaining optimal blood sugar levels is crucial as the prevalence of dementia is expected to rise in the future, placing a burden on health care systems. Identifying modifiable risk factors like blood sugar levels could help in developing effective preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Dr. Paul R. Conlin, author of the study, emphasized that maintaining stable HbA1c levels within patient-specific ranges is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The study also highlighted the importance of HbA1c time-in-range (TIR), which measures the percentage of time a person’s blood sugar level spends within a target range.
It is crucial to conduct further research to understand the link between blood sugar levels and dementia and explore if increasing HbA1c TIR can reduce the risk of dementia in the future. Identifying preventive measures early on could play a key role in supporting cognitive health and reducing the burden on individuals, caregivers, and healthcare systems.
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