Metabolic Syndrome and Memory Loss

Contributed by: Dennis Fortier, President, Medical Care Corporation
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While better education and higher awareness about Alzheimer's disease are key themes in this blog, we also emphasize the many other medical conditions that are also associated with memory loss.  Among those conditions is Metabolic Syndrome.

As per a recent article posted on WebMD, Metabolic syndrome is a common condition characterized by a cluster of symptoms that can include high blood pressure, too much weight around the waist, elevated blood sugar levels, low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol, and high levels of tryglycerides, a type of unhealthy fat found in the blood.

According to a study published yesterday in Neurology, subjects with metabolic syndrome, are more prone to cognitive decline in their later years.  While this group was previously known to have higher risk for heart disease, it is now more clear that they face an increased cognitive risk as well.

Given a large body of evidence showing that active management of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body fat can reduce the risk of heart disease, it is reasonable to speculate that such practices might also reduce the risk of cognitive decline.  Certainly, it couldn't hurt.
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A better understanding and more awareness of Alzheimer's related issues can impact personal health decisions and generate significant impact across a population of aging individuals. Please use the share buttons below to spread this educational message as widely as possible.