HEART MIND BODY HOW TO REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK

Studies suggest there is a link between diabetes and dementia. Here, we explore how you can reduce your risk with simple lifestyle changes.

- Dr Kate Marsh

According to Dementia Australia, in 2021 there are about 472,000 Australians living with dementia. Almost one in 10 people over the age of 65 are affected and around 250 new cases are diagnosed each day. While age is the biggest risk factor, and genetics play a part, there’s also increasing evidence for a link between diabetes and dementia, particularly type 2 diabetes. DL mag dietitian and diabetes educator, Dr Kate Marsh, discusses why this might be, but more importantly, what you can do to reduce your risk.

The diabetes-dementia link

Diabetes is associated with increased risk of both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). A 2013 meta-analysis of 28 studies found that people with diabetes had a 56 per cent higher risk of developing AD and a 127 per cent higher risk of VD. Diabetes also appears to increase the risk of cognitive decline, particularly the longer you have the condition.

The reasons for this association are not fully understood but are most likely related to several different mechanisms including blood vessel damage which reduces blood flow to the brain, oxidative stress, inflammation and the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) because of high blood glucose levels. There is also some evidence that severe hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), particularly if repeated, may contribute to cognitive decline.