Are Diabetes and ADHD Linked?

Although diabetes does not cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or vice versa, there does seem to be a link between these two diseases

Both these diseases have a steadily rising diagnosis rate and more research about the correlation between them can help us manage the serious effects they bring about.

If you or your child suffers from one of these diseases, it might be helpful to look at the possible links between diabetes and ADHD. You might be able to mitigate their harmful effects.

What is diabetes?

You will be diagnosed with diabetes if your blood sugar (glucose) levels are chronically high. This happens because your body doesn’t produce enough insulin (a hormone produced by your pancreas) or your body can’t effectively use the insulin it makes.
It is insulin’s job to move glucose out of your bloodstream and into your cells. When glucose is not delivered to your cells, it builds up in your bloodstream. High blood sugar levels have severe complications – diabetes can cause heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage and kidney disease.

Types of diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. Consequently, your pancreas does not produce enough insulin. It’s unclear what causes this attack.

• Type 2 diabetes 

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar builds up in your blood. It’s the most common type as about 90% of people living with diabetes have type 2. Type 2 diabetes can mostly be prevented by making lifestyle changes.

Learn more about the activators of type 2 diabetes…

• Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes.

Learn more about gestational diabetes…

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a mental health condition. People with ADHD may have trouble focusing or paying attention to a task at hand. They can also act impulsively and can be hyperactive. Many people with ADHD experience changes in energy levels.

It is uncertain what exactly causes ADHD.

The link between ADHD and diabetes

Type 1 diabetes and ADHD

ADHD is commonly diagnosed in children with diabetes. Elliot LeBow (2016), a certified diabetes educator, says that a lot of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before the age of 17 have some level of ADHD.

The younger you are when diagnosed with diabetes might up your chances of developing:

• Decreased ability to pay attention
• Reduced information processing speed
• Difficulties with both short- and long-term memory
• Decreased executive functioning
• Decreased self-monitoring abilities

Type 2 diabetes and ADHD

People with ADHD crave dopamine stimulation, which they can get from eating simple carbs and high-sugar foods. Because people with ADHD struggle to stick to a healthy eating plan they can easily develop type 2 diabetes.

The research is limited, but a Swedish study found that adults with ADHD were twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes as their non-ADHD counterparts. The over-50 ADHD population was 72 percent more likely to have type 2 diabetes than was their neurotypical peers.

ADHD and Diabetes Treatment

ADHD is treated with medication and behavioural therapy. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends following these lifestyle habits to manage ADHD:

• Eating a nutritious, balanced diet
• Getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day
• Limiting daily screen time from phones, computers, and TV
• Getting plenty of sleep

These healthful habits are also prescribed to help prevent and manage diabetes:

• Changing your diet to include more nutritious foods that are rich in fibre will help keep your blood sugar levels more stable. Try our Manna Diet e-book.
• Exercising for about 30 minutes each day could keep type 2 diabetes at bay. Doing aerobic exercises like cycling, swimming, dancing, or taking a brisk walk are prescribed to avoid and manage type 2 diabetes.
• Sitting still for too long should also be avoided. Watching lots of television can be especially damaging. Every two hours you spend watching TV instead of pursuing something more active increases the chances of developing diabetes by 20%. People who spend lots of time watching TV are more likely to binge-eat unhealthy food.
• Lastly, studies have found that there is a clear relationship between poor sleeping habits and diabetes. The researchers said that sleep deprivation is a significant risk factor for diabetes. People who lack sleep could try to regain energy through eating and this can cause a rise in blood sugar levels.

Takeaway

Although more research needs to be done about the connection between diabetes and ADHD, you can help manage both diseases by cultivating healthful habits. The lifestyle changes prescribed for both diseases are very similar. Even if the link between these two diseases is not that clear, you might still be able to mitigate the effects of diabetes and ADHD through healthful habits.

The best organic diabetes supplement…

The all-natural blood sugar-stabilizing supplement is called Manna Blood Sugar Support.

Take Manna Blood Sugar Support to help control blood sugar levels the natural way without any side effects. You can use Manna Blood Sugar Support in conjunction with any other medication.

What is Manna Blood Sugar Support?

Manna Blood Sugar Support is 100% organic & natural and works in a unique way by slowing down the absorption of glucose from the food you eat.

How does Manna Blood Sugar Support work?

The Manna Blood Sugar Support is uniquely formulated, natural and organic supplement which helps to maintain even blood sugar levels.

When taken with food, Manna Blood Sugar Support gels with the food in the stomach to reduce the glycemic index of the food and drink you consume by up to 43% and therefore help to prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high.

What are the benefits of Manna Blood Sugar Support?

• Helps to maintain balanced blood sugar levels.
• Helps to control cravings.
• Ensures balanced blood sugar levels to prevent diabetic health complications like foot problems.

Manna Blood Sugar Support is currently the only certified organic blood sugar support supplement in the world.

Manna Blood Sugar Support is available at: