Health

Dementia risk may be lowered by one important medical device

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2025

Dementia risk may be lowered by one important medical device

For those with diabetes, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels helps to prevent serious complications, like kidney problems and blindness — but it can also be important for brain health.

“The collective data on blood glucose and its effects on cognitive health, as well as on dementia, continue to rapidly grow,” said Dr. Michael S. Okun, medical advisor to the Parkinson’s Foundation and director of the Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida.

A recent U.K. study published in Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology suggests that wearing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) could lower the risk of dementia.

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“Not only does continuous monitoring improve glucose levels in the blood and prevent [low blood sugars], but we have also learned that the provision of a steady supply of glucose will enhance brain function,” he told Fox News Digital.

What to know about continuous glucose monitors

CGMs are wearable medical devices in the form of a patch on the arm. A built-in sensor tracks sugar levels and sends the results to a smartphone, according to GoodRx.

A recent U.K. study published in Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology suggests that wearing continuous glucose monitors could lower the risk of dementia. (iStock)

Diabetics who use CGMs no longer have to prick their fingers multiple times a day to get their sugar readings before meals and at bedtime.

These monitors are extensively used among people with diabetes – especially those with type 1 diabetes who are on insulin, experts say.

Past research showed that these monitors achieved a modest improvement in controlling sugars compared to the traditional method of finger sticks.

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Hornberger cautioned, however, that the constant tracking of sugar in real time could cause unnecessary worry and may not be worth the investment for everyone.

“Cost, requirements for attentive caregivers, and how to use the data for real-time decision-making all remain challenges for those in the field,” Okun noted.

CGMs are wearable medical devices in the form of a patch on the arm. A built-in sensor tracks sugar levels and sends the results to a smartphone. (iStock)

There is limited research into whether the monitors could also benefit people without diabetes.

“Though we currently lack data, it is likely that in the near term, we will see more integration of continuous monitoring of glucose and perhaps other biomarkers for enhancement of brain health,” Okun told Fox News Digital.

Link between blood sugar and dementia

Michael Hornberger, PhD, professor of applied dementia research at the Norwich Medical School in England, recently investigated how CGMs have impacted those with dementia and diabetes.

Research clearly showed that high sugars in the blood increase the risk for dementia, according to Hornberger.

“Some think that pursuing continuous glucose monitoring will have a positive impact on reducing dementia progression.”

Okun noted that many neuroscientists have studied oxidative stress and brain inflammation.

“Some think that pursuing continuous glucose monitoring will have a positive impact on reducing dementia progression,” he told Fox News Digital.

In addition to reducing future risk of dementia by detecting high blood sugars, CGMs could also help reduce the risk of falls by detecting low blood sugars, he added.

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Dementia can be attributed to a variety of illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease. The current research applies mainly to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, the latter of which is caused by strokes, noted Hornberger.

The specific link between persistent high blood sugar and increased dementia risk has not yet been established, he said, but several hypotheses have been proposed.

Dementia can be attributed to a variety of illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease. The current research applies mainly to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. (iStock)

High blood sugar triggers the body to produce more insulin, which then causes cells to absorb glucose and use it for energy.

“It also regulates the metabolism of glucose and fats in the brain, the activity of neurotransmitter channels and brain cholesterol synthesis,” Hornberger said.

Neurons also use glucose to send information to nerves, which helps control the body’s movements, but excessively high sugars may affect neuronal activity and lead to cognitive issues, according to the doctor.

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More research is needed to determine whether continuously monitoring blood sugar levels can truly reduce the risk for dementia, Hornberger added.

“The research has not matured enough to widely prescribe glucose monitoring devices for improvement in cognitive symptoms or as a method to prevent dementia,” Okun noted.

Overlapping risk factors

Many of the risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, overlap with those of dementia, according to Hornberger.

Some unmodifiable risk factors, such as age and family history, increase the risk of both diabetes and dementia with age.

Many of the risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, overlap with those of dementia, according to doctors. (iStock)

A 2017 study published in JAMA Neurology, which followed more than 15,000 adults over time, found that diabetes is also an independent risk factor for dementia, along with smoking and high blood pressure.

Some behavioral risk factors for type 2 diabetes include excess weight, lack of exercise, smoking and high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.

Hornberger stated, “Often, people with diabetes are also overweight and have cardiovascular conditions, and it is not clear how to delineate those different conditions from each other for the risk for dementia.”

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Consumers can now purchase several brands of CGM over the counter without a prescription.

Dexcom’s Stelo Glucose Biosensor System was the first over-the-counter CGM approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2024, but it is only intended for people 18 years and older who don’t use insulin. A one-month supply costs $99, according to the company’s website.

Experts recommend talking to a doctor to discuss the risks and benefits before purchasing a CGM. (iStock)

In June 2024, the FDA also approved Abbott’s Lingo, which is intended for healthy adults 18 years and older who are interested in wellness, but is not approved to manage diabetes. It retails for $89 for a four-week plan, as stated on the company’s website.

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Experts recommend talking to a doctor to discuss the risks and benefits before purchasing a CGM.

Health

Common nighttime noise exposure may trigger heart problems, study suggests

Published

5 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Common nighttime noise exposure may trigger heart problems, study suggests

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Living near heavy traffic could negatively impact your heart health.

A European study, published in the journal Environmental Research, found that exposure to nighttime road traffic noise is linked to changes in the blood, leading to worsened cholesterol and cardiovascular risks.

The researchers considered data from the U.K. Biobank, Rotterdam Study, and Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, including more than 272,000 adults over the age of 30, according to a press release.

Nighttime road noise exposure was estimated at all participants’ homes based on national noise maps. Researchers also took blood samples to measure the participants’ metabolic biomarkers for disease, then mapped the link between nightly noise levels and existence of biomarkers.

Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers. (iStock)

The study found that people exposed to louder noise at night — especially sounds above 55 decibels — showed changes in 48 different substances in their blood. Twenty of these associations “remained robust” throughout all cohorts.

Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers, especially LDL “bad” cholesterol, IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein) and unsaturated fatty acids.

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As noise levels increased, starting at around 50 decibels, cholesterol markers rose steadily, the release stated.

The authors concluded that this study “provides evidence that nighttime road traffic noise exposure from 50 dB upward is associated with alterations in blood cholesterol and lipid profiles in adults.”

Researchers noted a link between traffic noise and cardiometabolic disease. (iStock)

Study co-author Yiyan He, doctoral researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland, noted that in this type of research, small effect sizes are expected, and environmental exposures such as traffic noise are “typically modest.”

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“Despite this, we observed statistically robust and consistent associations across many biomarkers, especially those related to LDL and IDL lipoproteins,” she told Fox News Digital.

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“We also identified a clear exposure-response pattern starting at around 50 dB, suggesting that metabolic changes become more evident as noise levels increase.”

This aligns with public health guidance, as the World Health Organization recommends lower nighttime noise limits at around 40 to 45 dB, Yiyan He added.

“This finding may clarify the association between traffic noise and cardiometabolic diseases,” the researchers wrote. (iStock)

“The 55 dB level is often used as an interim benchmark associated with substantial noise annoyance and sleep disturbance,” she said. “In our study, we observed associations not only at 55 dB, but also indications of effects emerging at around 50 dB.”

The strength and consistency of the cholesterol-related associations were surprising, as these changes are usually “subtle.”

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“Instead, we found consistent associations across multiple large European cohorts, which strengthens confidence that the findings may reflect real biological patterns,” Yiyan He went on. “We were also interested to see that effects were minimal below ~50 dB, suggesting a possible threshold-like pattern.”

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The researcher noted that these findings were consistent across genders, education levels and obesity status.

The study was restricted to White Europeans, which posed a limitation. There was also a lack of information on the fasting status in the UK Biobank.

Changes in cholesterol levels were more severe than researchers expected. (iStock)

“Fasting can influence levels of certain metabolites, particularly fatty acids,” Yiyan He said. “However, based on UK Biobank documentation, fewer than 10% of participants were fasting for at least eight hours, and our main findings focused on cholesterol-related biomarkers, which are generally less sensitive to short-term fasting.”

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The researchers also lacked information on bedroom location, indoor noise exposure and time spent at home.

“These factors may introduce non-differential exposure misclassification,” Yiyan He said. “Additionally, noise exposure estimates were based on participants’ temporary residential addresses at the time of blood sampling, without considering the duration of residence.”

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“Many of these limitations would tend to bias results toward the null, so the consistent associations we observed remain noteworthy.”

Experts recommend taking measures to limit traffic noise at night. (iStock)

Based on this latest research, Yiyan He noted that nighttime noise is a “health-relevant exposure,” not just “an annoyance.”

“Our findings suggest that nighttime traffic noise may subtly but consistently affect metabolic health,” she said. “While the changes in cholesterol and lipid levels for any one individual are small, traffic noise affects a very large number of people, which means the potential public health impact could be substantial.”

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The researcher recommends taking measures like improving sound insulation, using noise-reducing strategies and placing bedrooms on the quieter side of the home when possible.

“Because sleep is a key pathway linking noise to health, protecting the nighttime sleep environment is especially important,” she added.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

Health

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism

Published

16 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and Fat Burn | Woman’s World

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