I learned something on Instagram in between practicing my TikTok dances. A guy claimed that only Americans still call Alzheimer’s—Alzheimer’s. I thought, did I forget something? I mean, I know they call a car boot a trunk, a biscuit a cookie, and a scone a biscuit. But do they have their own terms for diseases too?
It turns out a growing number of scientists believe Alzheimer’s should be called Type 3 Diabetes. So, naturally, I did some digging.
The Origins of Alzheimer’s Disease
Mr. Alzheimer didn’t suffer from Alzheimer’s himself; he was a psychiatrist in Frankfurt at an asylum in 1901. His focus was on pre-senile dementia, and he dealt with many senile patients. However, his groundbreaking discoveries went largely unnoticed because when he presented his findings at a lecture, the speaker that followed him was discussing the riveting topic of “compulsive masturbation.” The audience of 88 individuals was so eager to hear about that subject that they sent Alzheimer away without any questions. Ironically, it’s still called Alzheimer’s disease today. I’m not sure who the poster boy for the other disease is!
The Sweet History of Diabetes
Diabetes has been around for quite some time—first mentioned on papyrus in 1550 BC with references to “honey urine.” (Who was the genius who figured that one out?) At its core, diabetes is about sugar and insulin. Insulin is the hormone that helps sugar enter your cells.
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body can’t produce enough insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes happens when the body can’t use insulin effectively.
- Type 3 diabetes, or what some are calling it, occurs when both of these issues happen in the brain specifically.
In America, Alzheimer’s and diabetes combined are the third leading cause of death—and Dunkin’ Donuts has 13,000 stores. Coincidence? I think not!
The Sugar Paradox: Friend or Foe?
This means sugar is bad, right? Well, not exactly! The brain’s primary energy source is glucose—or sugar. In fact, your brain uses about half the glucose in your body. If your brain doesn’t get its energy from glucose, your memory starts getting worse than a toddler with a crayon behind his back standing in front of “art” on the wall.
It’s all about blood sugar balance! Fortunately, things like inulin, magnesium, grape seed extract, green tea extract, L-arginine, cordyceps, L-glutamine, and vitamin D3 all help balance your blood sugar levels. And guess what? These magical ingredients are all found in The Daily Shake! Plus, if you opt for the sugar-free version, you can minimize your intake even further.
Understanding Type 3 Diabetes
Now let’s dive deeper into this concept of Type 3 diabetes and its connection to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Researchers have suggested that Alzheimer’s may be triggered by insulin resistance in the brain. Some even say that Alzheimer’s is simply “diabetes in your brain.” This claim has some scientific backing but might be an oversimplification.
Over time, untreated diabetes can cause damage to your blood vessels—including those in your brain. Many people with Type 2 diabetes may not even know they have it, which can delay diagnosis and appropriate treatment measures.
A study conducted by Trusted Source involving over 100,000 people living with dementia revealed that those with Type 2 diabetes are up to 60% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia like vascular dementia. This is alarming news!
The Symptoms of Type 3 Diabetes
The symptoms of Type 3 diabetes mirror those of early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s disease:
- Memory loss affecting daily life
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Misplacing items frequently
- Confusion about time or place
- Trouble using and understanding language
- Decreased judgment
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Mood and personality changes
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or loved ones, it’s crucial to seek medical advice promptly.
How to Stop Type 3 Diabetes
So how do we combat this looming threat? Here are some strategies to help prevent or manage Type 3 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and dementia:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity is a significant risk factor for both Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Keeping your weight in check can significantly reduce your risk.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while minimizing processed sugars and carbohydrates.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps regulate blood sugar levels and improves overall health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.
- Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: Regular check-ups can help catch any abnormalities early on.
- Stay Mentally Active: Engage in activities that challenge your brain—puzzles, reading, learning new skills—anything that keeps those neurons firing!
- Get Enough Sleep: Poor sleep can lead to increased insulin resistance and cognitive decline.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can affect blood sugar levels and overall health.
- Consider Supplements: Nutrients like magnesium and vitamin D3 can support healthy blood sugar levels and brain function.
The Science Behind It All
Research continues to explore how insulin resistance impacts cognitive function. Insulin deficiency appears central to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease—particularly concerning how neurons respond to insulin for memory and learning tasks.
Studies indicate that high blood sugar levels lead to inflammation that may damage brain cells over time. This connection makes sense given that inflammation is also linked to various neurodegenerative diseases.
Interestingly enough, an enzyme responsible for breaking down insulin in the brain also breaks down amyloid proteins that can develop into plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Higher insulin levels mean less amyloid gets broken down—leading to more plaque buildup.
Lifestyle Modifications Matter
Importantly, both Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome are preventable conditions for many people through lifestyle modifications that could also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Daniel Murman from Nebraska Medicine emphasizes maintaining healthy habits such as:
- Eating nutritious foods
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing simple sugars
These lifestyle changes not only help manage blood sugar but also contribute positively to overall cognitive health.
Conclusion: Keep Your Brain Healthy!
In conclusion, while it might be tempting to dismiss Type 3 diabetes as just another buzzword floating around social media or health blogs, it represents a significant connection between two major health concerns: Alzheimer’s disease and Type 2 diabetes.
By understanding how these conditions interlink and taking proactive steps toward prevention through diet and lifestyle choices, we can empower ourselves against cognitive decline.
So keep drinking your Daily Shake—loaded with those fantastic ingredients—and hopefully you won’t end up with a disease named after you! Unlike Mr. Compulsive over there!
Citations:
[1] https://www.palmettoendocrinology.org/blog/type-3-diabetes-and-alzheimers-disease-what-you-need-to-know
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7246646/
[3] https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/researchers-link-alzheimers-gene-to-type-iii-diabetes/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2769828/
[5] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/type-3-diabetes
[6] https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/conditions-and-services/neurological-care/is-alzheimers-disease-considered-type-3-diabetes
[7] https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-is-alzheimers-type-3-diabetes/
[8] https://www.ccjm.org/content/83/12/895