Diabetics may be more prone to memory problems

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions seen by American doctors, and the health risks associated with having the disease are well known. But recent research suggests that in addition to conditions like heart and kidney disease, diabetes may also be linked to Alzheimer's disease. A recent study that followed nearly 1000 Americans over 65, 23.9% of whom had diabetes, found that those who had diabetes were more likely to develop a condition called mild cognitive impairment, which has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

You can lower your risk of developing diabetes or delay its onset by losing weight. In fact, even if you're overweight, losing just 5 to 7% of your total body weight can make a significant impact on lowering your risk. Daily moderate exercise and a diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, and lean proteins (and low in saturated fat) can also help you avoid the disease. Diabetes affects about 20.8 million people across the U.S. Take a minute to go through this checklist to see if you're at risk.