Sugar May Hold the Key to Memory Problems
Exercise and weight loss, which help control blood
sugar levels, may be able to reverse some of the
memory loss that accompanies aging.
People with an inability to quickly bring down
high blood sugar levels--a pre-diabetic condition--are
more likely to suffer from memory loss. This may
help explain why memory loss occurs as we age.
For every Alzheimer's patient, there are eight
elderly people who do not have dementia but whose
quality
of life is harmed by memory loss.
Blood sugar has been thought to play a role,
as diabetics have a greater risk of memory
problems, possibly
because diabetes harms blood vessels that supply
the brain and other organs.
The study of 30 non-diabetic middle-aged and
elderly people raises the possibility that
exercise and
weight loss, which help control blood sugar
levels, may
be able to reverse some of the memory loss
that is associated with aging.
Various factors were measured in the study
including how participants performed on several
memory
tests, how quickly they metabolized blood
sugar after
a meal, and, through the use of MRI scans,
the size
of the hippocampus, the brain region responsible
for learning and recent memory.
Results indicated that people who metabolized
blood sugar slowly had a smaller hippocampus
and scored
worse on tests for recent memory.
The brain gets most of its energy from
blood sugar, so if glucose stays in the
bloodstream
rather than
being metabolized into body tissues,
the brain has less fuel available to store
memories.
The study is the first to show an association
between the size of the hippocampus and
the ability to
control blood sugar levels in the body.
Though further research
is needed, this association suggests
that delivery of glucose may influence
hippocampal
structure
and function, researchers said.
Further, if confirmed the results indicate
that controlling blood sugar levels
through exercising
and eating
a healthy diet may help to protect
the brain from memory loss associated with
aging. Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences
February
5,
2003
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