toothA research team at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden analyzed MRI scans of 31,229 people.
toothIf blood sugar levels are not controlled, the rate of brain aging slows down.
toothHealthy lifestyle suggests possibility of alleviating brain aging caused by diabetes
Research has revealed that diabetes and pre-diabetes, known as major risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, can accelerate brain aging. The results of this study (Diabetes, Prediabetes, and Brain Aging: The Role of Healthy Lifestyle) were published in ‘Diabetes Care’, the official journal of the American Diabetes Association. .
Research results show that diabetes can accelerate brain aging | Source: Midjourney
A research team from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute analyzed data from 31,229 people aged 40 to 70 registered with the UK Biobank. They conducted two brain MRI scans to analyze how diabetes and pre-diabetes affect brain aging. In addition, we focused on whether healthy lifestyle habits can alleviate this association.
According to the study, the brain age of diabetic patients was on average 2.3 years older than their actual age, and those with pre-diabetes were also about 0.5 years older. In particular, the worse the blood sugar level, the faster the brain aged, and the difference grew larger over time.
However, the point to note here is healthy lifestyle habits. The researchers found that lifestyle habits such as high levels of physical activity, quitting smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can significantly mitigate the negative effects of diabetes on the brain. In fact, the brain age of diabetic patients who practiced a healthy lifestyle was on average only 0.8 years older than their actual age, while the brain age of patients who maintained an unhealthy lifestyle was 2.5 years older.
Dr. Abigail Dove, who led the study, said, “This study clearly reveals the link between diabetes and brain aging, showing the importance of a healthy lifestyle not only in managing the disease but also in maintaining brain health.” “He emphasized. Dr. Dove also added, “These lifestyle changes may have more important results, especially for men and people with high cardiometabolic risk factors.”
As a result, this study suggests the possibility that diabetic patients can maintain brain health and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia through a healthy lifestyle. This goes beyond simple sugar control and can be an essential strategy for protecting your brain and overall neurological health.
