Does Diabetes Affect Your Brain? Every organ in your body is important and we know that and the brain is obviously no exception. Diabetes affects every organ and the best thing that we can do is to get it under control with lowering our blood sugars and exercising. Diabetes can have an affect on your brain in many different ways.
How Can You Keep Diabetes from Damaging Your Brain?
Let’s first talk about the different areas of the brain and what their function is because diabetes can affect your memory, make your brain age faster and has a connection with Alzheimer’s.
The Different Areas of the Brain are Known as:
- Occipital lobe- the functioning of processing visual information
- Parietal lobe- the functioning of understanding and processing of sensory information
- Frontal lobe- responsible for memory, impulse control, motor function, social behavior, problem solving, sexual behavior, language, and judgement
- Temporal lobe- primarily auditory perception and hearing and some emotions
- Brain stem- the functioning of blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and helping to regulate breathing.
- Cerebellum- responsible for movement, speech, reflexes, balance, and coordination.
So your brain helps with all of our senses including hearing, vision, smell, touch, taste, and is responsible for being able to think and learn, and to understand. Your brain develops your personality as well. It requires nutrients, most importantly glucose and oxygen.
It’s extremely important to have your blood sugar controlled. Having either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia is not good for your brain. Both of these can have very negative effects on your brain and just lead to complications of your brain that you obviously don’t want or don’t need. So let’s keep those blood sugar levels controlled and work on reversing diabetes.
Scientists have done research to prove that the longer a time period that you have diabetes the bigger the chance of you having issues of cognitive impairment. So in addition to this, diabetes also results in making poor decisions while trying to perform even the simplest tasks that are intellectual. The study also connects dementia and a decline in cognitive functions with increases of serum insulin.
It’s not hard to understand why doctors find that people with type 2 diabetes have begun to develop this condition as opposed to type 1 diabetics. Type 1 diabetics often have theirs under control because they are dependent on insulin usage. Type 2 diabetics are often do not lead a healthy lifestyle. They are not fit and this leads to heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol all of which result in inflammation that will damage the brain’s blood vessels.
High blood sugar levels are not healthy for your brain. But low blood sugar or hypoglycemia can have much quicker effects that are very obvious than hyperglycemia. It’s crucial to know your glucose numbers and you should get a home monitoring kit so that you can take your numbers regularly. Low blood sugar readings can be worse than high readings. This can be extremely serious! You need to know the numbers!
If you have low blood sugar you can experience things such as dizziness, mood swings, and can affect your thinking process. These can result in your body shaking, your heart pounding, the feeling of hunger, cold skin, or nausea.
Dangerous low blood glucose levels can produce seizures, convulsions, fainting, or possibly even coma. This obviously serious and not something to ignore.
The central nervous system is affected by diabetes. Research shows that common factors between the central nervous system which are related to aging and diabetes were proven to support the theory of advanced aging of the brain in people with diabetes. There are so many health issues related to diabetes and they all seem to be interconnected.
Alzheimer’s Disease, the Brain, & Diabetes Connection
There is a huge connection between diabetes, the brain, and Alzheimer’s disease. Folks who are diabetic are much more likely to develop Alzheimer’s and dementia when being compared to folks who don’t have diabetes. Oxidative stress has been studied and concluded to be a link between Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes. So you might be thinking about what to do about this now?
The best way to remedy this negative situation is to get your diabetes under control and right away. The purpose of my website is to lower your blood sugar naturally and get diabetes under control and then eventually to reverse your diabetes. Adapting to a healthier eating lifestyle and daily exercise habit is the best way to get started. This will make it possible to prevent cognitive decline which occurs from managing your diabetes poorly. It’s crucial to act now before you get older. If you’ve heard the saying that sooner is better than it’s really appropriate here.
Check Out the Video Below to Learn More About the Diabetic Brain
How to Keep Your Brain Healthy
Use all of Your Senses
You want to keep your brain active as much as possible and to use it as much as you can each day. The more of your senses that you constantly use in learning something the more your brain’s memory bank will store and retain.
Physical Exercise
We all know how good exercise is for our bodies but it’s also excellent for the muscles which also help your mind. Exercise is responsible for developing new nerve cells and helps to increase the connections between your brain cells. So start moving more!
Aspirin
I take a baby aspirin (81mg) daily because it’s good for the heart but studies were suggested that a low dose aspirin may reduce the risk of dementia by between 10% and 50%. It’s still preliminary though.
Alcohol
Don’t overdo it with alcohol consumption because it is a major risk for dementia. Limit yourself to two drinks a day because studies have shown that low consumption of alcohol is linked to a decreased risk of dementia in folks that are older. I’m lucky because I don’t drink so I can’t overdo it.
Brain Food
Studies have proven that a diet with good fats and polyunsaturated fats with vitamin E and lutein and a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats may help to protect your brain health and brain cells.
Keep Mentally Active
Your brain needs exercise and constant activity because it can always learn more and retain more skills and facts through the course of your whole life. Perform brain activities such as word puzzles and crossword puzzles, word search, and educational games.
Challenge your brain. One game I really enjoy to keep my brain sharp is “jumble” where the letters are scrambled and I have to rearrange them to come up with the correct word.
Try and Learn Something New
Take a new hobby or class or participate in a sport. Yoga is also healthy for the mind and body. Just choose something you will enjoy and that keeps your mind occupied and staying in tip top shape.
Try Relaxation
Relaxation exercises are excellent for your brain. Just taking 20-30 minutes a day for relaxing deeply is brain healthy. Taking a break from stress and giving your brain a rest is very soothing and healthy. I try to zone out and meditate a few times a day even if only for a few minutes each time. It really makes a difference.
Social Activity
It’s important to stay socially active and have the emotional support and connection with other people. Being involved in a social group helps you to interact and having stimulating conversations help in keeping your brain challenged more. This can really add to the healthy emotional part of your brain.
Read
I never used to read and I find that I get older I read more and more. By reading about so many different topics, I find that it helps me with the ability to concentrate better and stimulates the brain more. By being connected to new perspectives, ideas, and vocabularies I know that I am helping to promote better brain health.
Nap Time
I’ve been taking naps for years and I have to tell you that a 20 minute nap a day really seems to revitalize me! Researchers have done many studies on naps and it’s always resulted in a positive effect on the brain. You don’t need a long nap, just 10-20 minutes a day does it!
Fish
Studies done at a University Medical Center in Chicago reported that people eating fish once a week can lower their risk of getting Alzheimer’s diseases by 60%! Omega 3-fatty acids found in tuna, cod, and salmon are responsible for this happening.
Retire, But?
Nobody is telling you that you cannot retire. You can absolutely retire from work, but you shouldn’t retire from your life and crawl up in a ball and do nothing. Have a positive attitude, be happy, keep busy, and have goals and plans to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. What are your interests, your passions? Well go for it! It’s wonderful for your brain and your health. Don’t let anything stop you.
Best Foods for Your Brain:
- Avocados
- Broccoli
- Blueberries
- Walnuts
- Spinach
- Cherry tomatoes
- Wild salmon
- Black beans
- Turmeric
- Green tea
- Coconut oil
Worst Foods for Your Brain:
- Diet soda
- French fries
- White rice
- Frozen pizza
- Donuts
- Ice cream
- Deli meats
- Muffins
The last thing I want to mention as I always do is to consult your physician with anything that you decide to do when it comes to your health. This should be common sense. Your doctor is the professional and knows you and your body.
You should also have your blood pressure checked and know what it is. I picked up my own monitor so that I could monitor it at home or when I travel. Your blood pressure is very important when it comes to your brain and your health.
Medical disclaimer
The information that I provide on my website is purely based on my own personal experience and subsequent research into the diabetes disease. It is not intended to take the place of medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Care and investigation should always be sought from an appropriate health care provider. I am happy to discuss my own symptoms, diagnosis and history of my diabetes disease but want to stress that I am not medically trained in any way. All opinions on my website are my own. I have created this site as a way to share information and experiences.
Final Thoughts
Does Diabetes Affect Your Brain? I tried to provide you with as much information as I could to cover the answers. I just wanted to thank you for reading and I hope that I accomplished my goal in helping you. Following the tips about controlling diabetes and how to keep your brain healthy will help you down the road to diabetes free health and a healthier brain!
Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes
Click the Button Below
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Rothchild, Sascha (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages - 04/19/2022 (Publication Date) - G.P. Putnam's Sons (Publisher)
- ✅ QUICK AND EASY TO USE: Care Touch blood sugar test kit delivers results in only 5 seconds with just a 0.5µL blood sample. There is no programming needed since our blood sugar monitor kit automatically recognizes batch codes encrypted on Care Touch glucose test strips. Our state-of-the-art glucometer kit with strips and lancets includes single-touch strip ejection, so you can hygienically remove used diabetic test strips.
- ✅ EASY DIABETIC MONITORING: The blood sugar monitor kit with strips is capable of saving up to 300 readings. The blood glucose test kit also provides a continuous 14-day average of your readings, making glucose monitoring easy for you and your healthcare provider.
- ✅ PORTABLE AND HASSLE-FREE: The diabetic testing kit comes with a handy glucometer case, which means you can check your blood sugar level at home or anywhere else while staying organized. The 10-depth lancing device and lancets will help make blood sugar testing almost painless and hassle-free.
- ✅ COMPLETE DIABETIC SET: The glucose meter kit with strips and lancets includes: (1) Care Touch Blood Sugar Meter, (100) Blood Glucose Test Strips for diabetes, (1) Lancing Device, (100) Lancets for diabetes testing, (1) 3 Volt Lithium Battery, (1) Glucose meter case for your blood sugar tester and diabetic supplies
- ✅ WE CARE BECAUSE YOU CARE: You care about your health, and we care about you. Care Touch is committed to providing the best quality blood glucose monitoring systems. Our care doesn’t end when your sugar tester diabetes kit arrives at your door. We’re fully dedicated to your satisfaction. If you have any questions or concerns about your glucose monitor kit with strips and lancets - contact us at any time.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
- PUREHEALTH RESEARCH - Blood Sugar Formula 3 Bottles
- MANUFACTURED in the USA! 365-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!
- A DOCTOR-APPROVED NATURAL FORMULA. Seventeen potent ingredients, each scientifically proven to have a significant effect at helping balance your glucose levels, improve glucose sensitivity, protect delicate cells from free radicals, and energy
- HIGH POTENCY. PureHealth Research experts scientifically enhance CHROMIUM with the Vitamin C, E, Mulberry Leaf, Bitter Melon, Cinnamon, L-Taurine, Berberin and other ingredients which are proven to help you support healthy blood glucose levels
- ONE CAPSULE DAILY, THREE BENEFITS: supports healthy sugar and carb absorption, supports insulin levels, supports cardiovascular health
- Scientifically formulated; great care was put into combining just the right amount of 20 different ingredients into a premium formula designed to support healthy blood sugar levels
- High potency support for 365 days a year; the unique combination in this blend is crafted to help support healthy glucose absorption and glucose production by your body; contains Gymnema, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Yarrow, Licorice, Cayenne, Banaba, Guggul, Bitter Melon, Juniper Berry, White Mulberry, L-Taurine & more
- One capsule twice a day, five benefits; (1) supports normal blood sugar levels; (2) supports weight control and energy; (3) supports healthy sugar and carb absorption; (4) supports insulin levels; (5) supports heart health; daily support for healthy blood glucose levels, 365 days a year
- Reliable; made in a GMP certified facility in America and third party safety tested for purity
- Great value for money; 120 vegetarian capsules for a 60 days supply
Last update on 2022-06-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hi there,
This is a very interesting site and I truly believe in eating right and wisely. I noticed that I do not eat any of the foods on the ‘No’ list and eat the foods that are recommended daily.
A very informative site, however, I know that unless some of my friends are hit with a sledgehammer, they will continue eating the foods to avoid!
Hey Stella!
My goal each day is to help others with high blood sugar and diabetes and to spread the word about anything that will help.
We don’t want our brains aging prematurely. Eating the proper foods is essential and like you said, you really can’t make someone eat the right foods unless they make the decision themselves.
Maybe if they read this article, it might change their minds!
Thank you for commenting!
Even though I am aware of diabetes, I’ve never thought about how diabetes affects the brain? That’s interesting because I spend a fair amount of time reading about how to keep my brain healthy.
Living in modern society makes it difficult to concentrate on brain health, doesn’t it? I mean we are surrounded with advertisements that lure us towards type-2 diabetes, and all the foods and sedentary lifestyle that numbs our brains and destroys their health.
It probably takes a healthy brain to stay away from type-2 diabetes?
Hey Mike,
Unfortunately diabetes affects everything and the brain is no different.
It’s good that you keep reading and staying up to date on brain health.
But it takes much more than good brain health to avoid diabetes. That’s just one way.
It’s mostly about diet and exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Follow the pointers in my article for keeping your brain healthy and check out my other articles about natural ways to lower blood sugar.
Thank you for reading!
Cheers!
~Rob
Hi Rob.
Quite a powerful argument for controlling diabetes.
I am sort of half way there at the moment, having pushed my exercise up to 4 times a week and doing 10 minutes of Yoga daily.
I also found cutting back on coffee and tea and drinking more water helped.
My glucose levels are officially now on the safe side but only just. So I need to look at your recommendations regarding fish and maybe switch to green tea from the few coffees I still drink.
I do experience a kind of “fog” that descends sometimes after having consumed a bit extra sugary stuff. I think my insulin levels are not stable and maybe I get sugar spikes, what do you think?
Thanks for some great advice.
Hi there,
We need to control diabetes if we have it. Anything that we can do is going to help and it’s important.
Drinking more water in place of coffee and tea is a good choice. Water is always the best choice when it comes to drinking anything.
Too much sugar in the blood can do a variety of negative things to us including a brain “fog.”
The best way to avoid this is to follow the pointers on how to keep your brain healthy both by diet and exercise.
A sure way to get on the right track is to try this.
Thanks your commenting!