Controlling Blood Sugar Could Prevent Alzheimer’s

MISSOURI—A recent study conducted at the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis and published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation found that high blood sugar could be linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study included a large group of mice, it is noted that their bodily functions are very similar to humans. The researchers studied a group of mice that were bred to develop a condition like Alzheimer’s disease, their brains began accumulating plaque. They then added glucose (sugar) to their blood stream.

The team found that high blood sugar levels were directly associated with high levels of beta-amyloid production, which is the plaque that builds up in your brain and could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, they found a 20 percent higher level of beta-amyloid plaque in the mice with high blood sugar compared to those who had normal blood sugar levels.

According to lead author Dr. Shannon Macauley:

"Our results suggest that diabetes, or other conditions that make it hard to control blood sugar levels, can have harmful effects on brain function and exacerbate neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease."

According to webMD, the following foods could help control or prevent high blood sugar levels:

·         Oatmeal: it is high in soluble fiber, so it is slower to digest and it will not raise your blood sugar as much or as quickly.

·         Broccoli, spinach, and green beans: Nonstarchy vegetables are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates, which make them perfect for people with diabetes or high blood sugar.

·         Strawberries: Even though they are sweet, they make for a better snack than cookies and will not raise blood sugar too much.

·         Salmon and lean meats: These are high in protein, which does not affect blood sugar as much as carbohydrates. Lean meats also have other health benefits as well.

If you are interested in reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, you might want to consider controlling or lowering your risk of high blood sugar by adding some of these foods to your daily diet.

Have a great day.