It is becoming more and more common to see obesity referred to as one of the biggest health threats to currently effect Americans, and there is an overwhelming body of evidence to support why. Obesity is associated with an increased risk for experiencing heart disease like a heart attack or stroke, it increases your blood pressure and causes your bad cholesterol levels to rise. It also increases your risk for sleep apnea, anxiety and depression, and arthritis.

There is a long list of chronic diseases and physical ailments that obesity can cause within the body. Perhaps one of the most common diseases associated with obesity is type-2 diabetes, a chronic disease that develops as a result of insulin fluctuations. Unfortunately, the sharp rise and fall of blood sugar has recently become more strongly associated with cognitive impairment. Specifically, it is found that living with type-2 diabetes often contributes to memory loss.

Making Memories, Losing Weight

Obesity is a preventable problem. Even after you have gained too much weight, making changes to your lifestyle, starting to exercise more and changing the way that you eat can help you lose weight.

As you lose weight, your risk for developing obesity related diseases begins to dissipate. In fact, even if you have developed chronic diseases as a result of being overweight, you may find that those diseases are actually reversible thanks to your weight loss. Bariatric surgery is especially noted as helpful in reversing the onset of obesity related diseases like hypertension, heart disease, and even type-2 diabetes.

You can prevent memory loss and overcome diabetes by following healthy habits like:

• Exercising daily
• Reducing calorie intake
• Switching to lean protein sources
• Eating more plant-based foods

Following the dietary guidelines of your weight loss surgeon can help you see the best weight loss results following bariatric surgery.

However, cognitive impairment and memory loss are not reversible. Living with type-2 diabetes increases your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia, and once those symptoms begin there is no way to stop them entirely. The only options you have at that point is to slow the symptoms down and to stop the progression of the disease.

You can do this by adopting daily habits that are designed to improve your cognitive abilities, such as:

• Playing Sudoku or doing crossword puzzles
• Using memory strategies like repetition
• Getting a full night sleep every night
• Staying organized
• Exercising daily

By losing weight and overcoming type-2 diabetes prior to any cognitive impairment you can actually prevent the onset of dementia, keeping your head clear and your memory precise.