Roughly one in nine people over age 65 in the United States live with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. For those with type 2 diabetes, the risk is even greater. 

Research published by the Mayo Clinic shows that having type 2 diabetes may double the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. This connection has left many people wondering why a condition that affects blood sugar can also threaten memory and thinking skills.

What Links Type 2 Diabetes to Dementia?

Type 2 diabetes prevents your body from properly using insulin, which leads to higher levels of sugar in the bloodstream. Over time, these elevated sugar levels can harm blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the brain.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, there are a few key ways diabetes may raise dementia risk:

• Blood Vessel Damage: High blood sugar can damage large and small blood vessels, increasing the risk of strokes or “silent strokes” that can contribute to vascular dementia.

• Inflammation: Type 2 diabetes often leads to chronic inflammation, which is believed to play a role in brain cell damage.

• Insulin Resistance: Insulin helps brain cells use sugar for energy. When cells become resistant to insulin, they may not get the fuel they need, which could affect memory and thinking.

• Shared Risk Factors: Those who suffer from diabetes are more likely to have certain risk factors that research has linked to dementia, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.

For people with diabetes, the challenges of managing blood sugar levels can become more difficult if dementia develops. There’s som evidence that the longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop dementia. This could be the result of shared risk factors and symptoms between both diseases, like obesity.

The CDC notes that diabetes management often relies on routines and remembering to check blood sugar, take medications, and make healthy choices. Dementia can interfere with these routines, raising the risk of dangerous blood sugar swings. 

Steps That May Help Protect Your Brain

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, certain lifestyle choices may help lower the risk. The Mayo Clinic and Harvard Health recommend:

• Keeping blood sugar levels within target ranges

• Managing blood pressure and cholesterol

• Staying physically active

• Eating a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diet

• Keeping the mind engaged through reading, puzzles, or social activities

It may also help to work closely with healthcare providers to monitor both diabetes and brain health. Early detection of memory problems can lead to better planning and support.

Researchers continue to study how better diabetes control might reduce dementia risk. Some studies suggest that careful management of blood sugar can slow or reduce damage to the brain’s blood vessels. 

Living with type 2 diabetes does not mean you will develop dementia, but understanding the connection is important. By taking steps to manage blood sugar and care for overall health, older adults may help protect their memory and independence for years to come.