According to an article in the December Wellsource Healthy Choices Newsletter, new research at the University of South Wales (Neurology 79 (1): 1019-1026 SEP 2012) shows that if your fasting blood sugar, or glucose, levels are in the high end of “normal” , your risk of brain shrinkage and diabetes increases. When brain shrinkage occurs, the cells, tissues, and connections in the brain are lost or damaged, which can lead to dementia, seizures, and cognitive problems, and often gets worse over time.
Normal fasting glucose levels are 70-99mg/dl; high normal is considered 90-99mg/dl.
A Hemoglobin A1c test will measure your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Many physicians will recommend the getting the A1c test to see if your blood sugar is under control.
The most common cause of elevated blood sugar (glucose) is insulin resistance caused by inactivity and by being overweight.
What can you do?
![diabetes blood test](http://info.healthonelabs.com/Portals/178130/images/diabetes%20magnified%20image1-resized-600.png)
- Exercise daily for 30-plus minutes.
- Lose weight. Even losing 10 to 15 pounds of fat can lower your glucose.
- Eat low glycemic index foods ( most fruits and vegetables except potatoes, whole grains, nuts, legumes.)
- Lipid Panel
- Liver Profile
- Kidney Panel
- Minerals & Bone
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Complete Blood Count
- Diabetes Screen