As the most prevalent form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease now ranks as the sixth leading cause of mortality, as researchers indicate that one in three people now dies with some diagnosable form of this memory-robbing illness. Considered by many to be an inevitable part of the aging process, dementia does not follow a predetermined course and can be largely prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle consisting of proper diet, regular physical activity and avoidance of most household and environmental chemicals, pollutants and cosmetics that regularly threaten our daily existence.

Research Results from NEJM

A research team from the University of Washington, publishing the result of their work in the New England Journal of Medicine, has found that high blood sugar levels are associated with increased dementia risk, even among people who do not have diabetes. Blood glucose levels that slowly crept up over a five year timeframe were associated with a significantly increased risk of developing dementia in later life. Many young and middle aged adults fall into this pre-diabetic range as they struggle to maintain optimal blood sugar concentrations that are repeatedly shown to slash disease risk.

High Blood Sugar Levels Proportionally Boost Dementia Risk in Non-Diabetics and Diabetics Alike

Researchers analyzed 2,000 men and women, aged 65 years and older who were enrolled in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study. The lead study author, Dr. Paul Crane noted “The most interesting finding was that every incrementally higher glucose level was associated with a higher risk of dementia in people who did not have diabetes… There was no threshold value for lower glucose values where risk levelled off.” Participants were evaluated for five years and tested an average of 17 times over the course of the study, considered a very accurate, data-rich pool of readings. The scientists determined that dementia risk increased 18 percent in those participants without an established diagnosis of diabetes and an average blood sugar level of 115 mg/dL, as compared to those with an average reading of 100 mg/dL. In those individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes, the results showed risk of dementia skyrocketed to 40 percent for those with an average glucose reading of 190 mg/dL as compared to those with an average reading of 160 mg/dL.

Limit Carbohydrate Consumption at Each Meal and Self-Monitor Blood Glucose Readings within a Safe Range

It is clear from this study that increased blood glucose levels significantly raise the risk of dementia, and past studies have also demonstrated that cardiovascular disease risk is increased in proportion to blood sugar levels. While fasting blood sugar readings are commonly assessed in routine examinations, post meal glucose surges represent a significant danger to health. Naturopathic practitioners emphasise the importance of checking blood sugar levels at 1 and 2 hour intervals after eating to prevent readings over 100 mg/dL. Adjust carbohydrate intake as necessary to avoid excessive blood sugar saturation. Dr. Crane concluded “What we found was that people with higher levels of glucose had a higher risk of dementia, on average, than did people with lower levels of glucose.” Health-conscious individuals will want to use a simple blood glucose meter to check fasting readings (optimal range is 70 – 85 mg/dL) and post meal levels (no higher than 100 mg/dL after 1 and 2 hour after eating) to dramatically lower risk of developing dementia and many other deadly chronic illnesses.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1215740 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/264560.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264615.php http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130807204835.htm