tortoise
Fri, Oct-08-04, 20:18
This makes perfect sense to me - so many of us find ourselves thinking more clearly on low-carb.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=9691
Reported October 8, 2004
Impact of High Blood Sugar
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Low blood sugar levels are known to cause cognitive and behavioral changes in diabetics, but researchers now report that high blood sugar has a similar effect. A study reported in this month’s Diabetes Care shows type 2 diabetics have impaired cognitive functioning and experience deterioration in mood when their blood sugar is high.
Diabetics' bodies have difficulty controlling blood sugar levels due to insulin deficiencies. Patients often have to check their blood sugar levels multiple times during the day and rely on insulin injections to help control these levels. Because the brain depends on a constant source of sugar to function, blood sugar levels can decline rapidly, and that low level impacts cognitive function and mood. Less has been known, though, about the impact of high blood sugar. Past studies have contradicted one another, and most previous research involves only type 1 diabetics.
For this study, researchers from Scotland observed 20 people with type 2 diabetes. The individuals had their blood taken and were put through a series of tests that involved information processing, memory, attention and mood.
The study shows the speed at which they were able to process information, their working memories, and some aspects of attention were all impaired when blood sugar was high. Additionally, patients experienced times of dysphoria, reduced energy, and increased sadness and anxiety.
Researchers point out these findings are important because intermittent or chronic episodes of high blood sugar are common in type 2 diabetics and may interfere with daily functioning.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2004;27:2335-2340
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=9691
Reported October 8, 2004
Impact of High Blood Sugar
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Low blood sugar levels are known to cause cognitive and behavioral changes in diabetics, but researchers now report that high blood sugar has a similar effect. A study reported in this month’s Diabetes Care shows type 2 diabetics have impaired cognitive functioning and experience deterioration in mood when their blood sugar is high.
Diabetics' bodies have difficulty controlling blood sugar levels due to insulin deficiencies. Patients often have to check their blood sugar levels multiple times during the day and rely on insulin injections to help control these levels. Because the brain depends on a constant source of sugar to function, blood sugar levels can decline rapidly, and that low level impacts cognitive function and mood. Less has been known, though, about the impact of high blood sugar. Past studies have contradicted one another, and most previous research involves only type 1 diabetics.
For this study, researchers from Scotland observed 20 people with type 2 diabetes. The individuals had their blood taken and were put through a series of tests that involved information processing, memory, attention and mood.
The study shows the speed at which they were able to process information, their working memories, and some aspects of attention were all impaired when blood sugar was high. Additionally, patients experienced times of dysphoria, reduced energy, and increased sadness and anxiety.
Researchers point out these findings are important because intermittent or chronic episodes of high blood sugar are common in type 2 diabetics and may interfere with daily functioning.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2004;27:2335-2340