DIABETES AND DEMENTIA CONNECTION

10 Powerful Connections Between Diabetes and Dementia You Need to Know

Whenever we think about diabetes, a picture of fluctuating blood sugar levels, insulin, dizziness, weight loss, and dietary restrictions comes to mind. When we think about dementia, a picture of memory loss, confusion in understanding, disrupted sleep, and difficulties in remembering things comes to mind. Precisely these two complications seem quite apart. But today, scientific evidence proves that both the complications are very deeply interconnected with each other, and that's really surprising.In fact, this is a matter of concern too.

We must have to think and understand the connection between these two complications, as it's not just a matter of one's curiosity. It can help us to protect our brain health and manage blood sugar levels as well with some preventive measures. Now let's explore the 10 powerful connections between diabetes and dementia.

🔹 1. Diabetes gradually raises dementia risk.

The consistent studies explain that diabetic patients have more risk of dementia, up to 60% more as compared to the people who are not diabetes patients. Well, it's just because of the hypoglycemic effect (sudden drops in blood sugar). In such conditions, brain cells are being damaged much faster, increasing the risk of dementia by 50%. This really means that the uncontrolled diabetes not only harms your body but also your mind may be affected a lot.

🔹 2. Insulin Resistance also Affects the Brain Too

The resistance of insulin is always associated with muscles, fat, and liver. Likewise, our brain needs insulin to function properly. The neurons often lose the insulin sensitivity in the patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In such conditions they become energy-starved suddenly as they are not getting glucose effectively. This slowdown or lack of glucose may increase intellectual disability. 

🔹 3. Lack of glucose makes the brain starve in dementia.

Our brain uses 20% of the body's energy despite being 2% of its weight; that's why we can say it is an energy-consuming organ of the human body. The energy supply is usually disrupted in the case of dementia. According to some researchers, brain cells lose the ability to absorb and use glucose, which leads to “type 3 diabetes” in most cases. Such a crisis of energy makes the brain shrink and causes cognitive decline. 

🔹 4. Increasing risk of diabetes with Alzheimer’s 

There's a two-way street connection in both conditions. Diabetes increases the risk of dementia on one hand, and on the other hand, Alzheimer’s disease gradually pushes the patients towards prediabetes. It is observed that many patients have high fasting blood sugar levels without being diagnosed as diabetic patients. The APOE4 gene is the main key genetic factor that worsened the problem by trapping the insulin receptors within cells. With this, the proper insulin signaling gets stopped, resulting in the increase in high blood sugar and damaging the brain function as well. 

🔹 5. Same Vascular Damage Connection in Both the Conditions

The continuous high blood sugar level is very dangerous, as it is the main cause of blood vessel damage in our body and in our brain as well. The higher blood sugar level sparks inflammation by weakening the blood flow and allowing toxins to cross the barrier of blood and brain. The slower blood circulation and increasing inflammation are the two main causes of dementia. Significantly, protecting blood vessels with proper diabetes care can help to maintain brain health too.

🔹 6. Diabetes-Originated Drug that is Useful in Dementia Now

A very unfortunate incident took place when a medicine originally developed for diabetes is now widely used for managing Alzheimer’s symptoms. This is incredible, as the medicine failed to control the blood sugar levels; scientists discovered it is beneficial for the brain instead. This unexpected and perhaps overlapping discovery gives a breakthrough in dementia treatment while studying diabetes. 

🔹 7. Metformin Also Protects the Brain Besides Diabetes 

Metformin is a very common and widely used drug for diabetes patients as prescribed by the doctors. This medicine not only reduces the blood sugar level but also reduces the inflammation in the brain. Studies prove that the diabetic patients taking metformin are at very low risk of dementia compared to those who don’t. Subsequently, when patients stop using it, their risk of dementia starts booming. Researchers are now trying to give metformin to nondiabetic patients to see how effective this medicine is for brain protection. The trials are ongoing.

🔹 8. GLP-1 Drugs Could Reduce Brain Plaques

The modern GLP-1 receptor agonists, like semaglutide (popularly used for weight loss and diabetes management), are also very helpful for the brain. It can reduce the harmful plaques linked with Alzheimer’s, as suggested by the researchers. Beyond this, some studies also indicate they are more effective than metformin for reducing dementia risk. The Evoke and Evoke Plus trials are continuously testing these drugs to discover better results among the patients with early stages of Alzheimer’s. Let's hope for the best with a future of dual-benefit medication.

🔹 9. A Breakthrough: Nasal Insulin Therapy 

As we know that the resistance of insulin happens inside the brain, the team of researchers has come to a conclusion. They are now trying to deliver insulin directly to the brain through the nose. With this method, they can bypass the bloodstream, which reduces the risk of affecting body glucose levels, and the brain instantly gets insulin. Although the results are quite satisfactory, long-term research is still required to get the desired and perfect solution of memory improvement and brain shrinkage.

🔹 10. SGLT2 Inhibitors Reducing Dementia Risk

A different and newer kind of diabetes medicine is SGLT2 inhibitors. This formula helps the kidney to remove extra sugar from the body. Besides reducing blood sugar levels, much research indicates that these drugs can lower the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. The benefits of this medicine are not just for diabetes but rather are very useful for reducing brain inflammation. Thus, it can be a revolutionary option for both diabetes and dementia treatments. 

🌟 Conclusion: Why This Connection Matters

Diabetes and dementia are very much associated with complications. They both have the same biological pathways, risk factors, and even treatments. This knowledge gives us a powerful conclusion that managing diabetes effectively may also be one of the best ways to maintain long-term brain health.

What’s even more exciting is that drugs originally discovered for diabetes are now opening new doors for dementia prevention and treatment in people without diabetes. The ongoing research will explain that the overlap between these two conditions is offering hope for millions of families worldwide.

Thanks for reading, 

Have a nice day. 😊