Low levels of the enzyme insulysin, which degrades insulin, could increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in mice.
In the study, researchers studied mice that were missing insulysin gene activity and found that the insulysin enzyme degrades amyloid-beta peptides in addition to degrading insulin. Further, a decrease in insulin activity was found to raise amyloid-beta peptide levels in the brain. High levels of the peptides increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, which affects more than four million Americans. According to researchers, the finding suggests a new mechanism--the competition of multiple substrates, such as insulin and amyloid-beta, for a limiting amount of the insulysin enzyme--may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.
The finding also points to a potential mechanism linking diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s, researchers noted.
Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences USA May 13, 2003;100,10:6221-62266
As I have repeated for some time now, normalizing your insulin level is the physical key to slowing down the aging process and reducing and recovering from all chronic degenerative illnesses.
If you are not familiar with the connection between insulin and chronic illness please review Dr. Rosedale's excellent article on the topic. And, for a diet that will keep your insulin levels low and help you to prevent chronic disease check out my new book, Dr. Mercola's Total Health Program.
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