People with diabetes are more likely to develop dementia for many reasons, though not all are fully understood. But can you lower your dementia risk if your diabetes is well controlled? A recent study suggests that the answer is yes.

Researchers looked at health records of about 374,000 U.S. military veterans. All were at least 65 years old and had type 2 diabetes. Over a three-year period, participants had a hemoglobin A1C test, a measure of longer term glucose control, at least four times. Specifically, an A1C test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in the blood are coated with sugar and estimates an average blood sugar level for the past 2-3 months. A higher A1C level indicates higher blood sugar levels and less control of diabetes.

Participants who stayed at healthy A1C levels for longer periods were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with dementia. Those with the most readings outside of the target range had the highest likelihood of developing dementia.

Mayo Clinic experts say that the study’s results further support the importance of sticking to lifestyle and
medication routines that keep you within your target hemoglobin A1C range.

From the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Submitted by Nancy Rasmussen, Parish Nurse