Nearly 21 million Americans in the United States have diabetes. More than 6 million of these people don’t even know they have it. Most people with diabetes have Type 2, which is linked to lack of exercise and being overweight.

When diabetes is not controlled, too much sugar remains in the blood. Over time, this can damage organs, including the brain.

Scientists are finding more evidence that suggests adults with Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of later developing Alzheimer’s.

Who gets diabetes?

While anyone can get diabetes:

• Diabetes tends to run in families and to affect certain ethnic groups more than others.

• Latinos living in the United States are at greater risk for developing diabetes than any other racial or ethnic group.

• Diabetes rates more than double in Latinos who are obese.

Diabetes may harm the brain

Type 2 diabetes can harm the brain. Compared to people without diabetes, more people with diabetes get dementia. The most common dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Another form is vascular dementia. Both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia may be linked to diabetes.

Diabetes may start with a high sugar level

Before getting Type 2 diabetes, a person may have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. High blood sugar levels may be a sign of insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body change blood sugar into energy. Eventually, insulin resistance can make blood sugar rise higher, and diabetes will develop. Blood sugar levels above 126 mg/dL signal diabetes.

People with insulin resistance often have:

• A big waist (at least 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women)

• Blood pressure of 130/85 or higher

• Low levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol

• Blood sugar a little higher than normal: above 100 or 110 mg/dL

The link between Alzheimer’s and diabetes

Doctors don’t know yet what causes Alzheimer’s disease or exactly how Alzheimer’s and diabetes are connected, but they do know that excess blood sugar or insulin can harm the brain in several ways:

• Diabetes raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, which hurt the heart and blood vessels. Damaged blood vessels in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

• The brain depends on many different chemicals, which may be unbalanced by too much insulin. Some of these changes may help trigger Alzheimer’s disease.

• High blood sugar causes inflammation. This may damage brain cells and help Alzheimer’s to develop.

Make simple lifestyle changes: Preventing diabetes may not stop Alzheimer’s from developing. But simple lifestyle changes can help avoid diabetes and cut the risk:

• Lose at least 5 percent of body weight – just 10 pounds in someone weighing 200 pounds.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes five days each week.

• Eat a low-fat diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables and avoid fast foods.

As immigrants adapt to and integrate with life in the United States, they adopt habits of the mainstream culture, including eating a diet with less fiber and more fast food.

Get regular medical checkups: Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to regularly see a physician or community professional to help monitor and control their health. This may delay an early diagnosis of diabetes – and Alzheimer’s disease – and prevent them from getting treatment when it is most effective.

It’s important to work with your doctor to detect the first signs of diabetes or other health concerns. Test your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar regularly and note any weight gain or loss. Even if you get diabetes, treating it may help prevent other complications, such as Alzheimer’s disease.