Can Weight Loss Reduce Memory Loss?

Posted: Jun 21 in Obesity and your Health, Weight Loss Blog by Staff

According to a recent study, type-2 diabetes is directly associated with an increased risk of memory loss. Type-2 diabetes is an obesity-related chronic disease that causes blood sugar levels in the body to rise and fluctuate in unhealthy ways. Being overweight or obese is one of the greatest factors that will put you at risk for developing type-2 diabetes.

Diabetes and Memory Loss: The Connection

There are several reasons why having type-2 diabetes will put you at an increased risk for memory loss. Diabetes is known to damage blood vessels and to put you at an increased risk for experiencing a stroke. Memory loss can often develop as a result of one of these side-effects of diabetes. Living with type-2 diabetes also increases your likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Once you begin to experience memory loss, there is no surefire way to reverse the onsets of the cognitive impairment. However, this is not the case for type-2 diabetes. Even after you develop diabetes, making changes to your lifestyle, such as losing weight, can actually reverse the onset of the disease.  Weight loss surgery is actually regarded as one of the best ways to reverse the onset of type-2 diabetes by encouraging significant weight loss.

If you do have type-2 diabetes, then it is a good idea to begin finding ways to prevent memory loss before any symptoms begin to set in.

You can do this by using the following strategies:

• Attempt to control your blood sugar as strictly as possible. The fewer fluctuations in glucose levels, the less potential cognitive damage you’ll experience.
• Try playing memory games like using repetition when you meet someone new. Help yourself out by paying close attention and being more deliberate in trying to remember things in the first place.
• Stay social! Meet new people and get out there and be as active and social as possible.
• Challenge your mind with logic puzzles like Sudoku or crossword puzzles that are designed to help you think and to keep your mind sharp.

Your risk for developing type-2 diabetes and memory loss is significantly higher if you have a family history of either of these issues. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about the potential side effects of living with obesity for too long. Taking action with weight loss surgery can reverse the onset of type-2 diabetes and prevent you from developing memory loss.