Everybody makes a silly impulsive purchase once in a while. But if you often come home from the store with something frivolous you didn’t really mean to buy, it could signal a serious health issue.
You could be in the throes of type 2 diabetes.
A study at the University of Waterloo in Canada shows that people with type 2 diabetes have difficulties controlling their impulsive behavior, thoughts and emotions.
The researchers found that type 2 diabetes reduces cognitive abilities that are called “executive functions.” These functions normally allow us to curtail unwanted thinking patterns, restrain emotional reactions and resist making spur of the moment purchases.
“This facet of brain function is particularly important because we rely on it when we are attempting to behave in a way that is contrary to our natural inclinations or what the environment impels us to do,” says researcher Corrie Vincent who is with the School of Public Health and Health Systems at Waterloo.
For people with diabetes, this loss in executive function represents a serious issue. Aside from cluttering your living space with unnecessary items you bought, it makes it harder to cope with blood sugar issues.
“The problem is the fact that effective diabetes management relies pretty heavily on executive function,” says researcher Peter Hall. “Essentially people with type 2 diabetes may be hit with the double whammy of having more need for executive control, but — possibly because of the disease’s effect on the brain — less intact resources for exerting it.”
So if you find your emotions and impulsive behavior getting out of control, have your blood sugar checked by a knowledgeable health practitioner.
And don’t forget to exercise both your body and thinking abilities to help keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.
As Hall points out: “Fortunately, there are a few things that can help optimize the brain structures that support executive function. Aerobic exercise and cognitively challenging activities – such as learning new things, solving difficult puzzles and other problem solving activities – all help to keep your brain sharp.”
Exercise is probably the most important, however, because it has benefits to both the brain and the rest of the body at the same time. It increases blood flow to the brain, strengthens the heart and lungs, and rejuvenates the metabolism to help your body choose to burn off blood sugar instead of storing it.
