Insulin Resistance
Research highlights that insulin resistance is not just a concern for those with diabetes; it plays a significant role in neurodegenerative diseases as well. Dr. Austin Perlmutter, in his article "Is Sugar Toxic to Your Brain?" , points out that our brains may struggle to access glucose as we age, particularly in individuals with Alzheimer’s. This disease has even been labeled “type 3 diabetes” due to the parallels between poor blood sugar regulation and cognitive decline. Studies indicate that type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of dementia by a staggering 60%.
Dale E. Bredesen, in "The End of Alzheimer’s"(Amazon Affiliate), further explains how insulin affects Alzheimer’s disease through its impact on insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE). When insulin levels are chronically high, IDE focuses on breaking down insulin instead of amyloid beta, the protein that forms damaging plaques in the brain. This diversion significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer’s, underscoring the importance of addressing insulin resistance to restore optimal brain function.
Despite the evidence, conventional diagnostic criteria often neglect to consider insulin levels. Amy Berger, in "The Alzheimer’s Antidote" (Amazon Affiliate), critiques this oversight, revealing that many individuals may have dangerously high insulin levels without abnormal blood glucose readings. This condition, termed “diabetes in-situ” or “occult diabetes” by Dr. Joseph Kraft, emphasizes the need for more comprehensive testing to assess insulin sensitivity and prevent cognitive decline.
Richard S. Isaacson and Christopher N. Ochner, authors of "The Alzheimer’s Prevention & Treatment Diet" (Amazon Affiliate), highlight that insulin is vital for various brain functions, including memory formation. Insulin resistance can undermine these processes, particularly in areas like the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory. Moreover, there’s growing evidence linking insulin resistance to an increased rate of beta-amyloid plaque formation, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
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