BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL AND ITS IMPACT ON AGEING & LONGEVITY
1. Mechanisms Linking Blood Sugar Control and Ageing
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs):
Chronic hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) promotes the formation of AGEs, which damage collagen, elastin, and cellular proteins, leading to tissue stiffness.
e.g., atherosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque
in the inner lining of an artery), wrinkled skin and organ dysfunction.
Oxidative Stress:
Excess glucose increases mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins, speeding cellular ageing.
Inflammation:
Persistent high blood sugar triggers pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α), contributing to chronic low-grade inflammation linked to age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration.
Insulin Resistance and Signalling Pathways:
Improperly regulated insulin/IGF-1 signalling—a hallmark of type 2 diabetes—may speed up ageing by affecting pathways like mTOR and AMPK, which regulate cellular growth and stress resistance.
Telomere (Tips of Chromosomes) Shortening:
Poor blood sugar control is associated with accelerated wearing away of telomeres, a marker of cellular ageing, reducing cell replication capacity.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction:
High Blood Sugars impair mitochondrial efficiency, increasing ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) production and reducing energy output, worsening cellular damage.
2. Age-Related Diseases and Complications
Cardiovascular Disease:
Diabetes doubles the risk of heart disease and stroke due to vascular damage from Advanced Glycation End Products and inflammation.
Neurodegeneration:
Alzheimer’s disease (“type 3 diabetes”) is linked to insulin resistance in the brain, promoting amyloid-beta accumulation.
Kidney and Retinal Damage:
Diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy result from microvascular (small vessel) injury, leading to organ failure and vision loss.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Nerve damage from oxidative stress and impaired blood flow causes pain and mobility issues.
3. Longevity Insights
Centenarian Studies:
Individuals with exceptional longevity often showed efficient glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Caloric Restriction (CR)-Limiting the intake of Calories in diet:
CR extended lifespan in model organisms by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative stress.
Metformin:
This antidiabetic drug, which lowers liver glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity, is being investigated for its potential anti-ageing effects via AMPK (activated protein kinase) activation.
4. Balancing Risks: Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) vs. Hyperglycemia (High Blood
Sugar)
While chronic hyperglycemia drives long-term damage, frequent hypoglycemia (e.g., from aggressive diabetes treatment) poses immediate risks (seizures, falls) and may indirectly harm longevity by destabilizing metabolic health.
5. Interventions for Healthy Ageing
Healthy Ageing Clinic!
Click on the links below to learn more…
Good News About Healthy Ageing Clinic
What is the Healthy Ageing Clinic? A Neurologist explains it here.
Lifestyle Modifications:
Diets rich in fibre & low in refined sugars and regular exercises like THANDAV, improve blood sugar control and reduce inflammation.
Pharmacological Approaches:
Beyond metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists show promise in reducing cardiovascular risks in diabetes patients.
Diabetes or poor blood sugar control speeds up ageing through interconnected metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory mechanisms, whereas effective blood sugar control mitigates multiple ageing pathways, reducing the burden of age-related diseases and potentially extending our health span.
Dr. Santhilal Adhikarla
Consultant
Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, Kukatpally, Hyderabad
