Living with diabetes is not easy. It puts you at risk for a range of health issues, from eye damage to foot problems and kidney disease. Scientists have learned that having diabetes can also make you more vulnerable to Parkinson’s disease. Read on to find out more about the connection between diabetes and Parkinson’s, and what you can do to better protect yourself.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that affects how your body moves and works. The disease is associated with a loss of nerve cells in the brain known to produce a chemical messenger called dopamine. When dopamine levels drop significantly, the brain’s control centre is damaged. This leads to problems with movement, balance, and thinking.
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder, which means it worsens over time. There are medical treatments that can ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but there is no known cure.
Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
– tremors
– stiffness in the arms and legs
– problems with balance and walking
– fatigue and brain fog
Parkinson’s often develops in people over 60 and affects more men than women. Researchers are looking to better understand what causes Parkinson’s disease. They believe both genetics and environmental factors play a role.
Is there a connection between diabetes and Parkinson’s disease?
A growing body of research has uncovered a strong connection between diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Both disorders can damage blood vessels in the brain. The two conditions are more likely to develop in older people, and both are seeing a significant increase in cases around the world.
The hormone insulin plays a role in the link between diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Usually, insulin helps your body’s cells absorb glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream for energy. Brain cells, in particular, need a lot of glucose to function as they should.
With diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, or the body does not respond to it normally – this is called insulin resistance. So, the body’s cells may not be receiving the glucose they need to function. This can cause a loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, leading to a higher vulnerability to Parkinson’s.
Studies have found a stronger relationship between type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, with research on type 1 showing conflicting results.
Are people with type 2 diabetes at higher risk of developing Parkinson’s?
Yes. If you have type 2 diabetes, there is a demonstrated connection to Parkinson’s disease. Not only that, but you could end up with a more severe form of Parkinson’s. That is because type 2 diabetes has been shown to worsen symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and accelerate the disease’s impact on your brain and body.
This may be due to a connection between dopamine, insulin resistance and glucose control. These factors can make dopamine-producing nerve cells vulnerable to damage.
Can managing diabetes help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease?
Yes. Better diabetes management can help reduce your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Try to keep your blood sugar numbers in the target range, as glucose levels that are too high can damage blood vessels. This damage can potentially impact dopamine function in the brain.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean meats will help keep you healthy. Avoid smoking and alcohol.
New research suggests certain diabetes medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitor medications and possibly SGLT2 inhibitors may also reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Does Parkinson’s affect blood sugar control?
Yes. Like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease can impact your body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. Many people with Parkinson’s disease live with glucose intolerance, meaning they have higher than normal blood glucose levels. People with Parkinson’s are also prone to insulin resistance.
What should people with diabetes know about Parkinson’s?
Having diabetes – especially type 2 diabetes – can make you more vulnerable to developing Parkinson’s disease. If you have diabetes and develop Parkinson’s, you are at a greater risk for more severe symptoms and the disease itself may progress faster.
You can limit your risk by watching your blood sugar levels, eating well and carving out time for exercise. Consider speaking with your diabetes healthcare team about diabetes medications that may provide some protection from Parkinson’s disease.
