In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow Was the Study Conducted?What Did the Study Find?How Does This Apply to Real Life?
In This ArticleView All
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In This Article
How Was the Study Conducted?
What Did the Study Find?
How Does This Apply to Real Life?
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Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Getty Images. EatingWell design.
The risk is even higher for those with obesity, suggesting a strong connection between diabetes, obesity and brain health. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into the study’s findings and share tips on what you can do to help lower your risk.
Complete List of Foods to Eat When You Have Diabetes—and What to Limit
The study analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, using data collected from 1,213 U.S. adults aged 50 and older, all of whom had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but had no signs of dementia at the time of their enrollment. Participants were tracked for up to 14 years, with researchers conducting follow-up telephone interviews to assess the development of dementia.
The researchers discovered that participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 50 were 1.9 times more likely to develop dementia compared to those diagnosed at 70. Those diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 59 were 1.72 times more likely to develop dementia, and those diagnosed between 60 and 69 years were 1.7 times more likely.
“While we do not know for sure why an earlier diabetes diagnosis would increase the risk for dementia, prior studies show that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in mid-life may experience more vascular complications, poor blood sugar control and insulin resistance—all of which are known risk factors for cognitive impairment,” said Bei Wu, the study’s senior author and vice dean for research at NYU Meyers, in a media release.
The study also found that obesity influenced the relationship between type 2 diabetes anddementia risk. People with both abody mass index (BMI)indicating obesity and a diagnosis of diabetes before age 50 showed the highest risk for dementia in the study.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with several factors that may contribute to dementia, including poor blood sugar control, insulin resistance andchronic inflammation. According to other research published in theWorld Journal of Diabetes, these factors can lead to vascular complications, which affect the brain’s blood supply and may encourage the buildup of plaque associated with cognitive decline.
The #1 Habit to Start Now to Reduce Your Dementia Risk
The good news is that you can support your brain health in plenty of ways, both big and small. Here are some strategies to help mitigate the long-term effects of diabetes on brain health:
The #1 Nutrient to Improve Insulin Resistance, According to Dietitians
The Bottom Line
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Qi X, Zhu Z, Luo H, Schwartz MD, Wu B.Age at diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the risk of dementia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.PLoS One. 2024;19(11):e0310964. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0310964New York University.Earlier Diabetes Diagnosis Linked to Dementia Risk.Ortiz GG, Huerta M, González-Usigli HA, et al.Cognitive disorder and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(4):319-337. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i4.319Sebastian MJ, Khan SK, Pappachan JM, Jeeyavudeen MS.Diabetes and cognitive function: An evidence-based current perspective.World J Diabetes. 2023;14(2):92-109. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i2.92Kullmann S, Goj T, Veit R, et al.Exercise restores brain insulin sensitivity in sedentary adults who are overweight and obese.JCI Insight.2022;7(18):e161498. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.161498Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Physical Activity Basics.Adult Activity: An Overview.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Qi X, Zhu Z, Luo H, Schwartz MD, Wu B.Age at diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the risk of dementia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.PLoS One. 2024;19(11):e0310964. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0310964New York University.Earlier Diabetes Diagnosis Linked to Dementia Risk.Ortiz GG, Huerta M, González-Usigli HA, et al.Cognitive disorder and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(4):319-337. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i4.319Sebastian MJ, Khan SK, Pappachan JM, Jeeyavudeen MS.Diabetes and cognitive function: An evidence-based current perspective.World J Diabetes. 2023;14(2):92-109. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i2.92Kullmann S, Goj T, Veit R, et al.Exercise restores brain insulin sensitivity in sedentary adults who are overweight and obese.JCI Insight.2022;7(18):e161498. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.161498Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Physical Activity Basics.Adult Activity: An Overview.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Qi X, Zhu Z, Luo H, Schwartz MD, Wu B.Age at diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the risk of dementia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.PLoS One. 2024;19(11):e0310964. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0310964New York University.Earlier Diabetes Diagnosis Linked to Dementia Risk.Ortiz GG, Huerta M, González-Usigli HA, et al.Cognitive disorder and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(4):319-337. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i4.319Sebastian MJ, Khan SK, Pappachan JM, Jeeyavudeen MS.Diabetes and cognitive function: An evidence-based current perspective.World J Diabetes. 2023;14(2):92-109. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i2.92Kullmann S, Goj T, Veit R, et al.Exercise restores brain insulin sensitivity in sedentary adults who are overweight and obese.JCI Insight.2022;7(18):e161498. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.161498Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Physical Activity Basics.Adult Activity: An Overview.
Qi X, Zhu Z, Luo H, Schwartz MD, Wu B.Age at diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the risk of dementia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.PLoS One. 2024;19(11):e0310964. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0310964
New York University.Earlier Diabetes Diagnosis Linked to Dementia Risk.
Ortiz GG, Huerta M, González-Usigli HA, et al.Cognitive disorder and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2022;13(4):319-337. doi:10.4239/wjd.v13.i4.319
Sebastian MJ, Khan SK, Pappachan JM, Jeeyavudeen MS.Diabetes and cognitive function: An evidence-based current perspective.World J Diabetes. 2023;14(2):92-109. doi:10.4239/wjd.v14.i2.92
Kullmann S, Goj T, Veit R, et al.Exercise restores brain insulin sensitivity in sedentary adults who are overweight and obese.JCI Insight.2022;7(18):e161498. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.161498
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Physical Activity Basics.Adult Activity: An Overview.
