Oxidative stress
The consumption of carbohydrates, fatty (unsaturated) acids, small antioxidant consumption and little exercise are diabetic factors that contribute to oxidative stress within the brain. Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals such as superoxide, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide radical which can create damage to the cells and tissue in the body. This resulting imbalance leads to a slow decrease in cognition which can be severe in patients in type 2 diabetes.