There is a link between diabetes and memory problems. This is because the brain needs sugar as a fuel. Changes in blood sugar levels can sometimes cause nerve damage in the brain.

The brain needs about half of the sugar in the body in order to function as it should. Diabetes can cause changes in blood sugar. High and low levels of blood sugar can have a negative effect on the brain’s ability to function properly.

If you have diabetes, it is important to follow your doctor’s advice on how to regulate your blood sugar.

There are many links between memory loss and diabetes.

High blood sugar

Despite the effects of high blood sugar not always being immediately noticeable, it can cause stress on the brain over time.

This is because having a high percentage of sugar in the blood can damage blood vessels in the brain. These blood vessels should be carrying blood that has lots of oxygen, so damage to the vessels can cause the brain to receive less oxygen over time.

If untreated, this could lead to memory loss and vascular dementia.

Low blood sugar

If your blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg/dL, this is called low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be very risky if it does not get treated.

Like high blood sugar, low blood sugar can also cause the brain to receive less oxygen than it should. However, the effects of low blood sugar are often immediate and very noticeable. They can include:

  • dizziness
  • shaking
  • feeling irritable
  • not being to walk or talk properly

In severe cases, it can also cause you to fall unconscious or even have seizures.

Insulin

One study’s results show that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is closely connected to insulin signaling and glucose metabolism in the brain. The brain contains insulin receptors, structures that recognize insulin. Insulin affects cognition and memory. When the insulin in your body is imbalanced, it increases your risk for AD. This imbalance can occur in people with type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome

Scientists also looked at how symptoms of metabolic syndrome affect memory. Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of the syndrome can include:

  • increased blood pressure
  • high blood sugar levels
  • abnormal cholesterol levels
  • increased body fat especially around the waist

The study concluded that the connection between high levels of sugar and AD goes both ways. People with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of developing AD. People with AD often develop hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.

These conclusions were reinforced by a 2015 review published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. Although researchers don’t know the full extent of the connection at this time, the connection between insulin signaling and Alzheimer’s disease is clear.

Once your doctor has determined the cause of your memory loss, they’ll work with you to create your treatment plan. This may include lifestyle changes if you’re at risk for or have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

If AD causes your memory loss, your doctor may recommend cholinesterase inhibitors to start. These inhibitors tend to delay the worsening of symptoms and can improve functionality in people with dementia. Depending on how the disease is progressing, they may prescribe additional medication.

Dietary changes

Make sure your diet is based on fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.

You should also limit your intake of high-fat foods. For example, the Mediterranean diet has been connected to a lower risk of chronic degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Add more omega-3 fatty acids your diet. Omega-3s have may help improve heart health and prevent cognitive decline.

Maintain a healthy weight

Body weight can also be linked to a risk of type 2 diabetes.

Obesity in midlife can also cause you to have a higher risk of conditions such as dementia.

Learn what a healthy weight might be for you.

Physical activity

Partaking in regular physical activity can also help you prevent the occurrence or severity of memory loss associated with diabetes.

Regular aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and also has healthy effects on the brain. It can benefit the same pathways in the brain that insulin use, and can improve cognitive function.

Avoid smoking

Smoking is another risk factor for diabetes and vascular dementia. Stopping or avoiding smoking will help you avoid the risks of uncontrolled blood sugar and any memory loss problems that can occur alongside it.

Follow a doctor’s advice

Always follow your doctor’s advice to ensure you are taking the correct measures to:

  • maintain healthy blood sugar levels
  • taking medicines as a doctor has described
  • engaging in the right lifestyle measures

Talk to a doctor before starting any supplementation to discuss their potential benefits and risks, including interactions with other medications you may be taking.