Most of us don’t think?much about our brains:?we count on it to do the?thinking for us. But new?research is helping us?understand more about?the effects diabetes might?have on your brain.

Your Brain And Diabetes

Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks.

Like many other cells in your?body, brain cells use glucose?for fuel. Because your brain?is always working, even?when you sleep, it needs?a large amount of fuel for?energy. In fact, your brain?uses about twice as much?glucose as any other organ?in your body. The glucose?comes from the food you eat?and is carried to your brain?through the blood stream.

You may have noticed that?when your blood glucose?is either above or below?your target, you cannot?think very clearly. You may?feel slow or groggy, you?may not be able to think?of a word, or you may?become confused. Keeping?a steady source of the right?amount of glucose is key to?keeping your brain working?correctly. Poor blood glucose?levels are linked to poor?thinking, learning and?memory. Age also plays a?role: an older brain needs?more glucose than a younger?one to do the same tasks.

While glucose is a big part?of the story, insulin is also?very important for brain?function, especially learning?and memory. Like other cells in your body, brain?cells need insulin to help?absorb glucose. Insulin also?keeps the blood vessels that?supply the brain healthy —?and can help prevent?a build-up of harmful?proteins in the brain.

Low insulin levels in?the brain mean reduced?function. Just like other?cells in your body, your?brain cells can become?insulin resistant. When?insulin cannot do its job?in your brain, learning?and memory may be?affected. Over time,?proteins can build up and lead to conditions like?Alzheimer’s disease.