Did you know that too much sugar causes dementia? According to recent studies, there is a strong connection between sugar and dementia. So, if you love sugary food, this might be bad news for you. However, you can rectify this by eating healthy food to improve your brain health. Before we look at how these two relate, we need to know that dementia is also caused by age and genetic factors. If you have a parent suffering from dementia, looking for elderly care in Great Falls, VA will help ensure they get the attention they need and relieve you of the burden of taking care of them. With that said, let us dive into the details about the relationship between sugar and dementia.
How Does High Blood Sugar Affect Brain Health?
Alzheimer’s is sometimes referred to as Type 3 diabetes, since most seniors with diabetes have been found to have other conditions like an inability to recall things and poor memories. Here is how sugar affects brain health.
Insulin Resistance
People who have poor insulin control are at risk for Alzheimer’s. When we eat, food is broken down into glucose. The sugar in the food is absorbed from the stomach into the blood. Once the sugar reaches the bloodstream, it is transported to the cells in the organs by insulin. When there is too much sugar, there is a high production of insulin. The cells, in turn, block the sugar by becoming insulin resistant. When sugar is not transported to the cells, it leads to high blood sugar.
Inflammation
Body inflammation is linked to cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. When you eat too much sugar, carbohydrates are stored in the body in form of fat. This leads to the production of a protein that causes inflammation of the brain and the body overall. The brain is in constant war with infections and this drains it, reducing its function.
Brain Clogging
High levels of sugar lead to fat buildup and put a person at risk of Alzheimer’s. Most obese people have brain tufts that hinder the way they think. When a person is obese, they have a high production of amyloids, a protein that causes clumping. As a matter of fact, brain clumps can be found in people with Alzheimer’s.
Stroke
The lack of insulin affects how blood flows to the brain. The cells suffer when they cannot get enough blood, and this decline causes a stroke. High blood sugar also weakens the vessels causing the stroke.
Brain Drowning
Unlike other parts of the body, the brain does not require insulin to absorb sugar in the bloodstream. However, insulin must be involved to ensure the brain gets enough energy. If your body has become insulin resistant, the brain does not get enough energy. The brain will have too much sugar, but lack the ability to convert it into energy. This will cause brain cells to die, affecting how a person thinks.
Conclusion
A brain that is functioning well is the key to a good life. So, it makes sense to protect your brain by avoiding excessive sugar, which leads to dementia. Most of these things are in your control, and you can lead a healthy life to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia.
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