Alzheimer's is the result of brain degeneration that occurs over time. Doctors have long believed that Alzheimer's was the result of various lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that had a cumulative negative affect the brain. However, a growing body of research suggests that Alzheimer's may be closely linked to your diet. This new research suggests that the same dietary habits that can lead to Type 2 Diabetes may also lead to Alzheimer's.
Diabetes - A Quick Recap
In previous blog posts, we have discussed the important role that insulin plays in the body - the pancreas produces this specialized hormone to metabolize the sugars that enters the body via the food consumed. When excess sugar is continually consumed, the body must produce large quantities of insulin in order to keep up. However, when there is too much of a certain hormone in the body, the body begins to ignore its signals.
When the body produces too much insulin in attempt to combat continually high blood sugar levels, it may at some point become unable to process the sugar. If the sugar is not metabolized, blood sugar levels remain high. Chronically high blood sugar levels contribute to a host of symptoms typically associated with Type 2 Diabetes.
Insulin In The Brain
Research over the last decade or so has revealed that the pancreas isn't the only organ that produces insulin; insulin is also produced in the brain. Insulin plays a crucial role in brain health - without proper insulin levels, brain cells often die. As a result of this important relationship between insulin and brain cell health, studies have found that individuals who have lower levels of insulin (and/or insulin receptors) in the brain often have Alzheimer's as well.
The main takeaway from this new information is that the dietary patterns that often contribute to Type 2 diabetes may also contribute to brain cell degeneration, which can result in memory loss and the other symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Type 3 Diabetes
Traditionally, there were two known types of diabetes. Type 1 referred to diabetes that manifested during early childhood. Type 2 diabetes referred to diabetes that developed in overweight adults as a result of long-term dietary/lifestyle habits (specifically, consistently consuming large amounts of sugar and not getting enough exercise).
In light of the new correlation discovered between long-term dietary patterns and brain cell degeneration, many of today's doctors and researchers suggest that the disease previously known as Alzheimer's should actually be given a new name: Type 3 diabetes.
Preventing / Combating Type 3 Diabetes
Clearly, the traditional one-size-fits-all medication approach for treating diabetes or Alzheimer's disease is not sufficient. In order to truly prevent or combat this disease, it's important to look at each individual patient. On a case-by-case basis, healthcare professionals should help patients identify dietary and lifestyle changes to contribute to improved health.
Medication may also be used to alleviate some of the symptoms commonly associated with these disease, but again, the one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate.
At our Lake of the Ozarks compounding pharmacy, we can compound your medication to meet your body's specific needs. If you would like to learn more about compounding and how it may be able to benefit your specific situation, please don't hesitate to reach out. Visit us at www.LimeintheCoconutRx.com for more information.
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