If you have type 2 diabetes and do not control your blood sugar, you may be putting more than your heart, eyes and kidneys at risk – you also may be putting your brain at risk. People with diabetes are one and a half times more Likely to Develop Cognitive Impairment, or trouble with memory and thinking, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Studying Blood Sugar and the Brain

Two recent studies back up previous evidence that diabetes can alter brain function. In one study, reported in Neuropsychology, adults with diabetes performed Significantly worse than adults without diabetes on two tests of mental processing. In the other study, reported in Diabetes Care, adults with diabetes who had higher blood-glucose levels – compared with diabetes patients who controlled their blood-glucose levels – performed worse on tasks that required memory, speed and the ability to focus without being distracted by various stimuli.

It’s not exactly clear how blood sugar levels might affect mental function. Higher blood sugar levels cause cognitive impairment. Other factors might also be involved. For instance, having a lower-than-normal response to insulin might increase your blood sugar and odd brain processes.

Take Care of Yourself

While researchers continue to study the relationship between diabetes and brain function, one thing is clear: Patients who manage their diabetes well are more Likely to Prevent the long-term complications linked with diabetes, which may include poorer brain function.

If you have diabetes, here are tried-and-true tips for taking care of yourself:

* Know your status. Talk with your doctor to be sure you understand what diabetes is, how it affects your body and what you can do to keep it under control.
* Monitor your glucose level every day. For most people, the target blood glucose level before eating is between 70 and 130 mg / dL. One to two hours after the start of a meal, it’s less than 180 mg / dL. If you’re not sure what your target levels are, check with your doctor.
* Follow a diabetes meal plan. If you do not have one, talk with your doctor about getting one.
* Get physical activity on most days of the week. Aim to move at least 30 minutes a day.
* Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your doctor what a healthy weight is for you.
* See your doctor at least twice a year. Request the A1c test, which show the average amount of glucose in your blood over the past two to three months.
* Talk about cognitive function. Tell your doctor if you or your loved ones have any concerns about your mental processing.