When glucose falls, ketone supplements may help protect the brain in type 1 diabetes
Insulin is a cornerstone of treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes, essential for lowering blood glucose levels. However, if insulin doses are not appropriately matched to the body's needs, glucose levels can fall too low, resulting in hypoglycemia, a common and potentially dangerous complication of treatment. Hypoglycemia can impair thinking and cause symptoms ranging from dizziness and…
When blood sugar levels drop, people with type 1 diabetes may benefit from ketone supplements to protect their cognitive function, according to new research from Yale University. Insulin is the primary treatment for type 1 diabetes, but improper dosing can lead to hypoglycemia, a dangerous condition that impairs thinking and can cause loss of consciousness.
The brain primarily relies on glucose for energy; when glucose levels fall too low, neurons stop functioning properly. Rather than simply taking less insulin, researchers explored whether ketones, alternative energy sources for the body, could protect the brain during hypoglycemia. The study found that participants receiving dietary supplementation to raise their ketone levels performed better on working memory tests during hypoglycemia compared to those on a standard diet.
This suggests that increasing ketone availability may help preserve cognitive function when blood sugar is low. The findings indicate that ketone supplementation could offer an additional layer of protection for patients experiencing recurrent hypoglycemia, especially those without access to continuous glucose monitoring technology.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
