[이데일리 이순용 기자] The incidence of dementia in diabetic patients is 1.5 to 3 times higher than in the general population. A recent study found that regular physical activity in diabetic patients lowered the risk of dementia. If you are diabetic, starting regular exercise as early as a day can help prevent dementia.
The research team led by Professor Jeong-eun Yoo of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center and Professor Ga-eun Nam of the Korea University Guro Hospital observed the occurrence of dementia by 2017 among 133,751 people who were diagnosed with diabetes for the first time among those who participated in the national health checkup from 2009 to 2012. . Of these, 3,240 (2,420 Alzheimer’s disease, 469 vascular dementia) developed dementia.
The research team analyzed the correlation between their physical activity and the incidence of dementia. ‘Physical activity’ refers to moderate-intensity exercise at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes or more or high-intensity exercise for at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes or more, and changes in physical activity were confirmed twice in a two-year cycle.
As a result, in the group who engaged in regular physical activity, overall dementia incidence decreased by 18%, Alzheimer’s disease decreased by 15%, and vascular dementia decreased by 22%. If regular physical activity was maintained for 2 years, the risk of dementia was lower, and overall dementia was reduced by 27% and Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia by 26% and 38%. In addition, when diabetic patients who were physically inactive, engaged in regular physical activity within 2 years, the risk of dementia was reduced by up to 14% compared to diabetic patients who were not continuously physically active.
The study results suggest the importance of regular exercise in diabetic patients, who are at high risk for dementia. Diabetic patients who are currently exercising can maintain consistency, and even if they do not exercise, starting now has the effect of preventing dementia.
Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in diabetes cause the accumulation of amyloid beta, which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, metabolic diseases related to diabetes can cause arteriosclerosis, which can cause cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, which in turn causes long-term damage to brain tissue, resulting in vascular dementia. The research team estimated that regular exercise would reduce the risk of dementia by improving blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetic patients and lowering diabetes-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease (obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.).
Professor Yoo Jeong-eun said, “It is known that the brain neurological changes in diabetic patients start from the early stage of diabetes, and since the period immediately after diabetes is the most effective time to induce lifestyle, regular exercise should be emphasized from the time of diagnosis of diabetes. “He said.
The results of this study were published in the latest issue of the official journal of the American Diabetes Association.