'Senior moments' linked to rise in blood sugar

January 6, 6:45 PMNY Nutrition ExaminerDebora Yost

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Using high-resolution brain imaging, the researchers evaluated 240 elderly Manhattan residents for typical age-related biological changes, including increases in cholesterol, body mass index, insulin and blood sugar. They found that a rising level of blood sugar was the only age-related change that correlated to a decrease in activity in the dentate gyrus.
This is considered good news because people not genetically predisposed to diabetes (which is most people) can keep blood sugar under control through healthy lifestyle practices.

“Showing for the first time that blood glucose selectively targets the dentate gyrus is not only our most conclusive finding, but it is important in showing ‘normal’ aging in the absence of any disease state,” said lead researcher Scott A. Small, M.D. “Our research suggests that improving glucose metabolism could help some of us avert the cognitive slide that occurs in many of us as we age.”

How to Keep Blood Sugar Low

Although medical guidelines say that healthy blood sugar is considered lower than 110 mg/DL as measured by a fasting blood glucose test, many doctors agree that your goal should be a level below 100 mg/DL.

Exercise: Dr. Small suggests regular exercise as the best way to keep blood sugar low and brain cells active. This means a minimum of 30 minutes of heart-pumping exercise such as vigorous walking three times a week. Studies show that vigorous exercise can cut the risk of diabetes, the end result of high blood sugar, by one-third.

Maintain normal weight: As weight goes up, so does the risk of elevated blood sugar.

Eat the right kind of carbs: This would be complex carbohydrates, the kind found in whole grains and vegetables.

Eat a little often: Small meals eaten throughout the day helps to stop surges in blood sugar.

Get plenty of garlic: One study found that 400 milligrams of garlic taken as a supplement stabilized blood sugar in a group of patients with blood sugar in excess of 110 mg/DL.