Change in lifestyle necessary to stop diabetes-related cognitive disorders

NEW DELHI - Glucose regulation plays a central role in cognitive function and aging and poor glucose control is likely to interact with coexisting disorders, such as dementia or cerebral infarcts, and worsen cognition among diabetics.

Dr. Vikas Ahluwalia, Director, Diabetes Care Foundation Of India, says the there is a necessity for diabetics to accept and change their lifestyle to prevent cognitive disorders.

Dr. Ahluwalia recommends regular exercise, which improves insulin and glucose regulation, regular sleep and controlled caloric intake.

An irregular sleep-wake pattern can cause abnormalities in blood pressure and in levels of glucose, insulin, and leptin.

In addition to extending life span, calorie restriction improved verbal memory and lowered fasting insulin and CRP levels.

The Mediterranean Dietary Pattern (MDP), with emphais on intake of fruits, nuts, cereals, legumes, and fish; high monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio; and moderate alcohol consumption, when combined with exercise, can decrease the risk for dementia and depression, Dr. Ahluwalia said.

Referring to a study appearing in the British Journal of Psychiatry, Dr. Ahluwalia says it has been established that those with high whole-food intake were less likely to report depression.

In 2002, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) reported that, compared with placebo, intensive lifestyle intervention or metformin in 3200 overweight adults with impaired glucose metabolism lowered the incidence of diabetes during three years by 58 percent and 31 percent, respectively.

To determine the long-term effects of these interventions, the researchers enrolled most patients who had completed the DPP into the six-year unblinded DPP Outcomes Study (DPPOS).

The net relative reduction in diabetes incidence during the full 10 years was 34 percent in the lifestyle group and 18 percent in the metformin group compared with the placebo group.

“Lifestyle interventions can lower diabetes incidence for many years. Stress impairs cognition, through effects on the prefrontal cortex. Multi-taskers can miss important details of their work at hand. Speaking or preparing to speak impaired visual processing. Such findings have led many to argue against use of hands-free cell phones,” Dr. Ahluwalia says.

New York City recently prohibited hands-free phones by taxi drivers. Not only driving, but also even walking becomes dangerous while one talks on a cell phone. It’s best to pay attention to where you’re going and to wait to text or call.

Eat well (and less), exercise, minimize stress, have a regular sleep schedule, don’t use a cell phone when you’re doing anything else to stay healthy and live longer, Dr. Ahluwalia concludes. (ANI)

Please note: The views expressed in the above article are the author’s.

Dr. Vikas Ahluwalia

Director

Diabetes Care Foundation Of India

B-4/234,safdarjang enclave,N.Delhi.

drvikasahluwalia@gmail.com (By Dr. Vikas Ahluwalia)