Maintain for people with diabetes Healthy blood sugar levels It helps prevent serious complications such as kidney problems and blindness, but is also important for brain health.
“The collective data on blood glucose and its impact on cognitive health and dementia continues to grow rapidly,” says Dr. Michael S. Okun, a medical advisor at the Parkinsons Foundation and director of the Institute of Neurological Diseases. It states. University of Florida.
A recent UK study published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology suggests that wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) may reduce the risk of dementia.
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“Continuous surveillance does not only improve and prevent blood glucose levels. [low blood sugars]however, I also learned that providing a stable supply of glucose improves brain function,” he told Fox News Digital.
Things you need to know about continuous glucose monitors
CGM is a wearable medical device in the form of an arm patch. According to GoodRx, the built-in sensor tracks sugar levels and sends the results to your smartphone.
A recent UK study published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology suggests that wearing a continuous glucose monitor may reduce the risk of dementia. (istock)
Diabetics using CGM do not need to stab their fingers multiple times a day to get sugar readings before meals or at bedtime.
These monitors are widely used among people with diabetes, especially those with type 1 diabetes who are taking insulin, experts say.
Previous studies have shown that these monitors achieved slight improvements in sugar control compared to traditional finger stick methods.
Dr. Michael Hornberger, professor of applied dementia research at Norwich School of Medicine in the UK, warns that constant tracking of sugar in real time causes unnecessary worries and may not be worth investing in anyone. I did.
“The costs, careful caregiver requirements, and how we use data for real-time decision-making all continue to be challenges for people on the ground,” Okun said.
CGM is a wearable medical device in the form of an arm patch. The built-in sensor tracks sugar levels and sends the results to your smartphone. (istock)
There is limited research into whether monitors could benefit people who do not have diabetes.
“We currently have a shortage of data, but in the short term there could be an increase in continuous glucose monitoring and perhaps integration of other biomarkers. Brain health“Okun told Fox News Digital.
The link between blood sugar and dementia
Hornberger recently investigated how CGM has affected patients with dementia and diabetes.
According to Hornberger, the study clearly showed that high sugars in the blood increase the risk of dementia.
“Some people believe that pursuing continuous glucose monitoring has a positive effect on reducing the progression of dementia.”
Okyn pointed out that many neuroscientists are studying oxidative stress and brain inflammation.
“Some people believe that pursuing continuous glucose monitoring will have a positive effect on reducing the progression of dementia,” he told Fox News Digital.
In addition to reducing the future risk of dementia by detecting hyperglycemia, CGM may also help reduce the risk of falls by detecting hypoglycemia, Hornberger added.
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Dementia can be caused by a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The current study applies primarily to Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, the latter caused by stroke, says Hornberger.
Although he said there is still no established specific link between persistent hyperglycemia and increased risk of dementia, several hypotheses have been proposed.
Dementia can be caused by a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The current study applies primarily to Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. (istock)
Hyperglycemia causes the body, produces more insulin, absorbs glucose into cells, and uses it for energy.
“It also regulates the metabolism of glucose and fat in the brain, as well as the activity of neurotransmitter channels and brain cholesterol synthesis,” Hornberger said.
Neurons also use glucose to send information to the nerves. This helps to control body movement, but excessively high sugars can affect neuronal activity and lead to cognitive problems.
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More research is needed to determine whether continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels can truly reduce the risk of dementia, Hornberger added.
“This study is not mature enough to widely prescribe glucose monitoring devices as a way to improve cognitive symptoms and prevent dementia,” Okun said.
Duplicate risk factors
According to Hornberger, many of the risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, overlap with the risk of dementia.
Several unchangeable risk factors, such as age and family history, increase the risk of both diabetes and dementia with age.
Doctors say many risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, overlap with the risk of dementia. (istock)
A 2017 study published in JAMA Neurology tracked more than 15,000 adults over time, so diabetes is an independent risk factor for dementia, including smoking and smoking. Hypertension.
According to the American Heart Association, behavioral risk factors for type 2 diabetes include excessive weight, lack of exercise, smoking and high blood pressure.
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“In many cases, people with diabetes are overweight and have cardiovascular symptoms, and it is not clear how to portray these different conditions towards one another due to the risk of dementia,” Hornberger said.
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Consumers can now purchase CGMs from several brands at the counter without a prescription.
Dexcom’s Stelo glucose biosensor system was the first over-the-counter CGM approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2024, but is aimed at people over the age of 18 who do not use insulin. According to the company’s website, a month’s supply costs $99.
Experts recommend talking to your doctor to discuss risks and benefits before purchasing a CGM. (istock)
In June 2024, the FDA also approved Abbott’s terminology. It is aimed at healthy adults over the age of 18 who are interested in wellness, but is not approved to manage diabetes. It is on sale for $89 on a four-week plan, as stated on the company’s website.
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Experts recommend talking to your doctor to discuss risks and benefits before purchasing a CGM.
