Researchers analyzing genetic and health data from more than 350,000 adults found that elevated blood glucose after meals was associated with a substantially increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Spikes in blood sugar following meals may significantly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a large genetic study led by researchers at the University of Liverpool that adds new evidence linking metabolic health to long-term brain function.
The study, published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, analyzed genetic and health data from more than 350,000 adults enrolled in the UK Biobank, a major long-term health research initiative in the United Kingdom. Participants were between the ages of 40 and 69 at enrollment.
Using a technique known as Mendelian randomization, which leverages inherited genetic variations to explore potential cause-and-effect relationships, researchers examined whether different markers of glucose regulation were directly associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk. These markers included fasting blood glucose, insulin levels and blood glucose measured two hours after eating.
The analysis found that higher postprandial, or post-meal, blood glucose levels were associated with a 69% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. By contrast, the study did not find the same level of association with fasting blood glucose alone.
Researchers also examined whether the increased risk could be explained by structural changes in the brain, such as reduced overall brain volume or white-matter damage. They found that the association persisted even after accounting for these factors, suggesting that more subtle biological mechanisms may be involved.
The findings build on earlier research linking impaired glucose metabolism to cognitive decline and dementia. A widely cited 2019 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reported that higher blood sugar levels were associated with an increased risk of dementia even among individuals without diabetes. That study followed more than 2,000 older adults and found that dementia risk rose progressively as blood glucose levels increased.
While the precise mechanisms remain uncertain, scientists have proposed several pathways through which elevated blood sugar could affect brain health. Chronic hyperglycemia has been linked to vascular damage, which can impair blood flow to the brain, as well as to insulin resistance, which may disrupt how neurons process energy and communicate.
The University of Liverpool–led team said their findings sharpen the focus on post-meal blood sugar control, rather than average or fasting glucose levels alone, as a potential factor in neurodegenerative disease risk. By isolating postprandial glucose as a key variable, the study adds detail to the growing body of evidence that metabolic regulation plays an important role in brain aging.
Researchers concluded that the results underscore the close relationship between metabolic health and neurodegenerative disease, and suggest that strategies aimed at moderating blood sugar spikes after meals may warrant further investigation as part of efforts to reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
Watch this video to learn more about dementia risks and cognitive health.
This video is from the Wellness Talk channel on Brighteon.com.
Source: Natural News
Original article
Comments