Is Dementia Type III Diabetes – Diabetes of the Brain?

Diabetes has become the disease of the modern era. The numbers are skyrocketing and the effects on our health and health system (sickness system) are – and will be – nothing short of devastating.

Even worse, is that there are literally millions, waiting in the wings so to speak, that are pre-diabetic. They are developing diabetes, or have it, and don’t even know yet.

I get really stressed when I talk to patients, who now seem to think that getting diabetes is ‘no biggie’. ‘I will just take the insulin and go on as normal and basically eat what I like.’

Er…. No.

Becoming diabetic definitely relates to what you eat. It can be easily avoided.

And even diabetics can reverse the disease if they make the correct dietary changes – which are definitely not the dietary changes recommended by the Diabetes society. Browse to the section on Nutrition for more information.

Diabetes and becoming insulin dependant is catastrophic for your health. You must do everything you can to avoid this situation.

Depending on the author you read, Diabetes shortens your life span by about 12 years, massively increases your chances of loosing a limb (usually due to gangrene), and significantly increases your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

Now, to top it off, we now see a strong correlation between diabetes and damage to the brain that is probably driving the massive increase in dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is characterised by the death of nerve cells, memory loss and reduced cognitive function.

Insulin is responsible for the uptake of glucose into brain cells, so insulin resistance in the brain beaks down the nerve connections required for memory and learning.

Insulin resistance is also associated with damaging levels of inflammation and compounds that are toxic to the nerves within the brain.

Here is how it works.

 

Type 3 Diabetes – Diabetes of the Brain

Type 1 diabetes is known to be a type of autoimmune disorder where the body is unable to produce its own insulin. We suspect that apart from genetic factors, the consumption of grains, in particular the gluten of wheat is particularly implicated in the development of, and driving of the autoimmune disorder.

Type 2 diabetes has become the disease of the era, a global epidemic linked to poor diet and sedentary lifestyles. The predominate driver is our obsession with refined carbohydrates in the form of grains, in particular wheat and gluten, and sugar within our diet.

Now, in the wake of new evidence, researchers are speculating that the debilitating Alzheimer’s disease is a result of a new type of diabetes- Type 3 or ‘Brain Diabetes’.

First coined as Type 3 diabetes in 2005, this disorder involves both reduced production of insulin and reduced sensitivity of insulin receptors within the central nervous system. Elements characteristic of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Strong links between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease have been observed in longitudinal cohort studies in recent years.

In 2004, Arvanitakis, et al. studied over 800 people over the age of 55 and found that individuals with diabetes had a 65% increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without diabetes mellitus.

Other risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease include:

• Diets high in saturated and trans fats
• Heavy metal toxicities such as mercury and aluminium
• Hormonal imbalances
• Nutritional deficiencies including Vitamin D
• Poor methylation
• Cardiovascular disease
• Genetic propensity and advancing age

The Insulin – Brain Connection

Insulin facilitates memory function in several ways including activating signalling pathways in the brain associated with learning and long-term memory and regulating neuron (brain cell) development, survival and energy metabolism in the brain.

Insulin receptors are found in highest concentrations in areas of the brain responsible for cognition and interestingly, treatment with nasally-administered insulin has been found to improve cognition in Alzheimer’s patients.

Post-mortem analyses of Alzheimer’s brain tissues demonstrates an 80% decrease in the number of insulin receptors in comparison to normal subjects.

Results also reveal that the ability of insulin to bind to receptors is compromised and insulin expression in Alzheimer’s brains is inversely proportional to level of neurodegeneration as measured on the Braak scale.

In the brain of an Alzheimer suffer there is an 80% loss of insulin receptors in key areas of the brain that control cognition, memory and learning.

How Does It All Go Wrong?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, characterised by:

• Brain cell (neuron) death
• Loss of memory and cognitive function as a result of inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotoxins
• Reduced communication between brain cells (neural synaptic transmission).

Insulin is responsible for the uptake of glucose into brain cells, so insulin resistance in the brain causes disruption to cellular energy metabolism and affects the brain’s capacity to develop connections required for memory and learning.

Insulin resistance is also associated with damaging levels of inflammation, oxidative stress and the development of neurotoxic compounds called Amyloid-Beta Derived Diffusible Ligands (ADDLs) in the brain.

ADDLs, precursors to the well researched beta-amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s disease, are believed to bind at neural synapses and prevent the accumulation of insulin receptors, thereby making the receptors unable to respond to insulin and worsening insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance in the brain is likely to result from elevated insulin levels and insulin resistance in the body, processes underlying Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

 

So, What Can You Do?

Insulin resistance is not overcome by having more insulin!

Insulin resistance occurs because you are bombing your system with too many foods that are driving up your blood sugar levels too high – too often.

In essence you are using carbohydrate as a fuel source not protein or fats.

Browse to the No Pain – No Grains section in Nutrition, and in particular What’s Your Source of Fuel for more info.

This research clearly shows that metabolic health has a huge impact on brain health and cognitive function.

While there is no conventional cure for Alzhemer’s disease, you have the power to change a number of lifestyle and dietary factors to reduce your risk of developing the disease, despite any genetic influences.

Be Proactive

Undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance can lead to serious health complications such as Type 3 diabetes as blood sugar levels often remain consistently elevated.

Be proactive, pick up a blood glucose monitor and check your levels, or better yet, consider The Spinal Centre’s Blood and Genetic Profile to assess your risk of these metabolic diseases.

It is important to avoid Vitamin D deficiency particularly if you are at risk of Alzheimer’s due to other health factors, so make sure you get your levels tested every 6 to 12 months until you have it stable and supplement if necessary. Consider The Spinal Centre Vitamin D Test or Musculoskeletal Profiles are a great place to start.

Personalised genetic, nutritional and metabolic tests available through The Spinal Centre can also help to determine potential health factors that may increase your risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes.

Find out more about our Hair Mineral and Heavy Metal Analysis, Optimal Nutritional Evaluation  and Personalised Genetic Profiles here.

The sooner you know you are at risk, or may even already have a problem with blood sugar regulation, the sooner you can take action!

Cut the Grains and Shirk the Sugar

Wheat and Sugar are the biggest culprits in metabolic disease such as diabetes.

The biggest issue for most people, or the one that goes unknown, is the gluten in wheat drives up your blood sugar level higher than spoonfuls of sugar.

So your ‘healthy brown bread’ that you have for breakfast drives up your blood sugar higher than a ‘Mars bar’.

Any wonder is so hard for people to get off the bread.

Eating sugar or processed carbohydrates such as white breads, brown breads and pastas causes an immediate spike in blood sugar (glucose) levels resulting in an increased output of insulin by the pancreas to help absorb the glucose.

Over time, insulin receptors stop responding to consistently high levels of insulin in the body, and glucose can no longer be properly absorbed into cells causing a multitude of damage all over the body.

The production of insulin by the pancreas also decreases resulting in insulin resistance, or more seriously, Type 2 or 3 diabetes.

The best way to ensure your body is able to cope with carbohydrates and your pancreas and insulin receptors continue to function normally, is to avoid any sort of sugar or refined carbohydrates in your diet.

If you have to eat grains, make sure they are low GI, preferably gluten-free and only eat in moderation!

Healthier sources of unrefined, complex carbohydrates include fresh fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds and legumes. Knock your self out.

Keep Active

Research shows that it is essential to keep active both physically and mentally to improve metabolic health and maintain good cognitive function.

Physical exercise is a great way to maintain a healthy body weight, improve insulin sensitivity and regulate metabolic function. It also assists with improving mood and cardiovascular health, increasing blood flow to the brain and assisting with neuronal health and function.

The great thing is there is no downside to exercise when done within an individual’s capabilities!

Start off small with regular walks, swimming or even group classes at community centres or local gyms. This is a great way to get more involved in the community and continue socialising- an important factor for maintaining mental health throughout the ageing process.

Beneficial mental exercises for stimulating cognitive function and maintaining memory include electronic ‘brain-training’ programs, crosswords, sudoku, puzzles, learning a new language or how to play music etc.

Music therapy also has a potential to improve mental health and cognitive function, especially in the elderly via stress reduction, lifting mood and facilitating the growth of new brain cells.

However more research is required to determine a specific effect in regard to Alzheimer’s patients.

Feed Your Brain

Certain nutrients and herbs are specific for enhancing cognitive function and memory via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, improving blood circulation to the brain and enhancing neuronal health and function.

Herbs researched for these actions include Turmeric, Ginkgo, Korean ginseng and Withania. High quality, standardised products containing these herbs are available on eConsultation or your next appointment with me – just book more time please.

Nutrients to help support healthy brain function and with a therapeutic potential for Alzheimer’s disease include phosphatidylserine, omega 3 fatty acids (found in Fish Oil supplements), CoEnzyme Q10 and Acetyl-L-carnitine.

Other important nutrients for cognitive health in Alzheimer’s prevention and support are Vitamin B6, B12 and folate.

These nutrients are involved in DNA methylation, a process required to maintain healthy gene expression. These nutrients also help to reduce levels of homocysteine in the body, a toxic compound associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and even Alzheimer’s.

I recommend taking these nutrients in their activated forms to ensure the best results. Again, use an eConsult or chat with me for more details.

Support Insulin Signalling

As we have discussed, metabolic health is of utmost important for preventing diabetes-induced Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition to following a diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates, it is important to include plenty of anti-inflammatory fats and good quality sources of protein in your meals and snacks.

These macronutrients help to improve insulin sensitivity and are a source of slow-releasing energy throughout the day.

Include plenty of fish (wild and cold water if possible), grass-fed lean meats, organic poultry and eggs, raw nuts and seeds (pesticide free), legumes, avocados, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, dark green leafy vegetables.

Alpha-Lipoic acid is an excellent nutrient to supplement with to enhance insulin sensitivity and signalling. It also helps to reduce inflammation, has powerful antioxidant effects both inside and outside cells and regenerates other antioxidants within the body.

Chromium and magnesium are two other important nutrients required for healthy blood sugar regulation. Chromium enhances insulin activity and sensitivity to reduce risk of developing diabetes.

It is commonly deficient in Type 2 diabetics, and may also assist with cardiovascular health.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions and has wide-ranging benefits on the body. In specific to Alzheimer’s, magnesium has been found to promote learning and memory by boosting neural transmission, synaptic plasticity and density.

Research also shows that magnesium enhances insulin sensitivity and metabolic control, particularly in magnesium deficient and diabetic individuals.

We love MagOpti Cell, a potent and pleasant tasting powder containing both magnesium and chromium, or try the popular Ultra Muscleze for a magnesium boost!

Browse to The Spinal Centre’s Best Magnesium Powders for further information.

 

References:

Arvanitakis, Z. et al. 2004, Diabetes mellitus and risk of Alzheimer disease and decline in cognitive function, Archives of Neurology, Vol. 61(5)

Kroner, Z. 2009, The Relationship between Alzheimer’s Disease and Diabetes: Type 3 Diabetes?, Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 14(4)

Wollen, K. 2010, Alzheimer’s Disease: The Pros and Cons of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional, Botanical, and Stimulatory Therapies, with a Discussion of Treatment Strategies from the Perspective of Patients and Practitioners, Alternative Medicine Review, Vol 15(3)

 

The Spinal Centre – Neuro-Musculoskeletal SolutionsThe Spinal Centre provides the Best Natural Medicines, Health Products and Nutritional Solutions to Free You of Pain and Improve Your Spinal Health.The Spinal Centre is a leader in the management and treatment of spinal pain and disability including:

• Chronic Back and Neck Pain
• Cervical and Lumbar Disc Injuries with or without neruological changes
• All forms of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
• Neuromuscular problems such as chronic back pain, headaches, migraines, neck or spinal pains
• Myofascial pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, diffuse muscular or joint pains
• Austistic spectrum disorders including ADD, ADHD, learning difficulties and autism
• Fatigue, energy and mood disorders including chronic fatigue and depression

The Spinal Centre focuses on resolution with the development of individualised treatment programs using Conservative and Integrative Medicine; combining genetic, metabolic and nutritional testing with specific natural medicines to enhance your health and achieve your genetic potential.We have helped thousands – Why Not You?