FREE Subscription
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter   
 
 
POSTED BY
Dr. Mercola
October 16 2007
41,791 Views
ARTICLE TOOLS
Email a Friend
Print Article
Save this Article
Bookmark & Share


BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Online Shopping Click Here!
Share your stories here!
Previous Article
Current Newsletter
Next Article
Is Alzheimer's a Form of Diabetes?

More evidence has been uncovered that Alzheimer’s disease may actually be a third form of diabetes, according to researchers from Northwestern University.

Insulin and insulin receptors in your brain are crucial for learning and memory, and it’s known that these components are lower in people with Alzheimer’s disease. In your brain, insulin binds to an insulin receptor at a synapse, which triggers a mechanism that allows nerve cells to survive and memories to form.

The Northwestern University researchers have found that a toxic protein in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients -- called ADDL for “amyloid ß-derived diffusible ligand” -- removes insulin receptors from nerve cells, and renders those neurons insulin resistant.

The findings suggest that ADDLs accumulate at the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease and thereby block memory function.

The process is currently thought to be reversible.

The researchers speculated that drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, which also causes insulin resistance, may “supercede currently available Alzheimer’s drugs.”

The FASEB Journal August 24, 2007

Physorg.com September 26, 2007



Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:
Alzheimer’s disease was tentatively dubbed “type 3 diabetes” in early 2005 when researchers learned that your pancreas is not your only organ that produces insulin. Your brain also produces insulin, and this brain insulin is necessary for the survival of your brain cells.

Interestingly, while low insulin levels are typically associated with improved health, the opposite appears to be true for your brain.

A drop in insulin production in your brain contributes to the degeneration of your brain cells, and studies have found that people with lower levels of insulin and insulin receptors in their brain often have Alzheimer’s disease.

This new study from Northwestern University has found that a toxic protein may be rendering your neurons insulin resistant and blocking your memory function.

Another noteworthy connection between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes came out in 2004, when it was revealed that people with diabetes might have a 65 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

How to Prevent Diabetes AND Alzheimer’s Disease

No one is likely to be measuring your brain insulin levels in the near future (although a test that measures ADDL in your spinal fluid claims to detect Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages). And the best “treatment” for Alzheimer’s disease continues to be prevention, not drugs.

It is not a coincidence that three of the most important methods I recommend to prevent Alzheimer’s disease are identical to those recommended to prevent diabetes, because the single most important physical factor that is responsible for accelerating nearly every chronic disease known to man is to normalize your insulin and leptin levels. This is true for everything, from slowing down the aging process to maximizing the energy you have.

So this normalization would typically lower insulin and leptin levels in your body and raise them in your brain. If you want to significantly cut your risk of both of these diseases, you can:
  • Get plenty of high-quality omega-3 in your diet, such as by taking a krill oil supplement. A diet rich in omega-3 fats has been found to ward off both Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.
Previous Article
Current Newsletter
Next Article
Did you find this article interesting?  Interesting Not Useful
Community Comments ( 25 )
 Comment on this Article
  
  
Patty D
 [ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on September 28, 2007 ]
12 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Great awesome discovery.  Wrong ending.  Keep it simple stupid....NOT more drugs, nutrition, proper nutrition with food the way God made it.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Russ Bianchi
 		[ Joined on 09/06 ]  [ Posted on September 28, 2007]
5 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Occum's Razor (Invariably The Simplest Answer Tends To Be The Correct One):

Where was Alzheimer's as a "disease" prior to the dumbing-down of all absorbable nutrient values in the food and beverage chain in the past 40, or so, years?

We remain, in part, beyond genetic predispositions, what we consume, do, expose ourselves to, practice, etc.

Your memory may vary,

Uncle Russ
Mercola
  
kelann
 		[ Joined on 01/07 ]  [ Posted on October 1, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola
Reply to Russ - Actually, Russ, it seems that Alzheimer's, or something like it, did exist, but it just wasn't made a big deal of--at least as early as the 20's.  In a P.G. Wodehouse book from the 20s, he says (and this is a paraphrase), describing an uncle or something, that "he had reached that stage of life where close relations and recent happenings were beyond recall, but his childhood and early memories were an open book to him."  He wrote hundreds of great books and, unfortunately, I can't think of which one it was in.  They're fabulous books, though, so start at the beginning, and you'll find it--laughing all the way through!!
Mercola
  
Russ Bianchi
 		[ Joined on 09/06 ]  [ Posted on October 1, 2007]
       
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Hmmmm, "I can't think of which one it was in"...

Cognitive function, beyond genetic predisposition, indeed can be degraded, or enhanced, by life style choices, and nutrient absorption (or also lack thereof).

Reading, PG Woodhouse, would tend to suggest to me, that you will have a long and happy and healthy cognitive future Kelann...

Me thinks (also) more than one mind,just might, have gotten a bit fuzzy in The Roaring 20's, if not from PG Woodhouse's droll and wry character descriptions, on the generous use or consumption of "adult liquid alcoholic libations"...

To Your Best Health!

Uncle Russ
Mercola
  
kelann
 		[ Joined on 01/07 ]  [ Posted on October 2, 2007]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola
Russ,

    "I can't remember..."--ha ha ha!  Didn't even notice that when I was typing it.   I'm not sure which is worse!

    In any event, to your best health as well!  

    Cheers!!  (With a delicious green juice "coctail".)
  
  
foxtroter
 [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on September 28, 2007 ]
12 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
The concluding sentence of the article states: “With proper research and development the drug arsenal for type 2 diabetes, in which individuals become insulin resistant, may be translated to Alzheimer’s treatment,” said Klein. “I think such drugs could supercede currently available Alzheimer’s drugs.”


I propose ending the article with the sentence: "It is the high fructose corn syrup--stupid"


Does anyone else wish to propose an alternative ending?
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Russ Bianchi
 		[ Joined on 09/06 ]  [ Posted on September 28, 2007]
2 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Too long an ending for the illiterates at FDA, Foxtroter;

"IT'S THE HFCS!"
  
  
mmc88121
 [ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on September 30, 2007 ]
11 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
Good study, but they are asking the wrong questions.  I would want to know what makes the receptors insulin resistant.  I would be willing to bet it has to do with nutrition.

Mary
 [ Reply ]
  
  
PepperR23
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on October 1, 2007 ]
9 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I have to wonder, if so many elderly people are given the flu vaccine, isn't it possible that one or more of its many toxic ingredients could contribute to the development of Alzheimers?
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Reesacat
 		[ Joined on 01/07 ]  [ Posted on October 1, 2007]
10 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
PepperR23, I never thought about that.  Everyone in my family has had problems with flu vaccines.  I remember my aunt saying my grandmother had a bad reaction to a flu shot, and then she just wasn't doing good and then came the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

I am sure in that population with being over-drugged, bad processed food due to inability to shop and cook, and vaccines it is a wonder
any seniors have a mind left.
  
  
Arizona
 [ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on September 28, 2007 ]
8 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
You are so right Patty D..... my husband is on the road all the time. His cholesterol was 380. Since he has been at home eating right for 4 months it is only 180.  He asked me how did that happen???? I just laughed.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Reinhard1
 [ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on October 16, 2007 ]
4 Points        
   
 
Novice User

If you consider Alzheimer, you must look at mercury.

"In sum, the findings from epidemiological and demographical studies, the frequency of amalgam application in industrialized countries, clinical studies, experimental studies and the dental state of Alzheimer patients in comparison to controls suggest a decisive role for inorganic mercury in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease."

(Mutter et al., Mercury and Alzheimer’s Disease)

www.thieme-connect.de/.../s-2007-959237

 [ Reply ]
  
  
astrolenn
 [ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on October 16, 2007 ]
4 Points        
   
 
Novice User

I believe that Alzheimers is caused by inflamation and you can help yourself by eating foods like fish and taking omega 3-6-9's. Anybody remember cod liver oil, our mothers did know best. By the way Alzheimers is a prion disease. The best way to treat Alzheimers is prevention, and that means using your brain. Doing a crossword puzzle or something that gets your brain thinking is the best. I go to a site called lumosity and play the games everyday. They have games for attention, memory, cognitive reasoning and more. Its fun to play and gives your brain exercise every day.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
NZ Naturopath JS
 [ Joined on 05/07 ] [ Posted on October 31, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

MAYBE THERE IS A CONNECTION WITH THE DIABETES DRUGS

warning METFORMIN (and poss other type 2 diabetes drugs) causes severe B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia ,called macrolytic anemia when very low B12)

There's variable memory disfunction depending on severity of the B12 def.

in severe B12 deficiency thers's similar symptoms to senile demenia /Alzheimer's ; also neurological disfunction /neuropathy =numbness of extremities & perminent neurological disfunction.

I've seen macrolytic anemia (severe B12 def DIAGNOSED AS PARKINSONS TOO!!...THIS ONE WAS CAUSED BY LOSAC...be warned about LOSAC causing B12 def also!)

I am an Naturopath and discovered these connections recently (of course the Dr's don't inform patients of thes e dangers with some medications!)

 [ Reply ]
  
  
richmorr
 [ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on October 19, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

My Alzheimer's used to be obvious. I had most of the usual symptoms. I have apparently cured myself. I conclude my Alzheimer's is now less obvious. Those of us who have learned to heal ourselves, become intuitive. Dr. Mercola is right about so much! Many thanks to you!

Part of my cure is exercise. Tennis is a great exercise for AD's like me. Tennis requires the most exquisite visual - muscular coordination. At the same time, it is safe. It doesn't make huge demands on my body.  

Here is the interesting part. Tennis is diagnostic. On the tennis court, I have limited staying power. My body's overall energy level is not the limit. That energy level stays high. I lose the ability to quickly follow - and react to - the ball. At first I follow it quickly with great precision. As I continue to play, I give up either speed or precision. If I require precision, my brain gives it to me. However, my mental processing slows down. If I require speed, I swing in the wrong place. The longer I play the worse it gets. The problem is exactly the insulin resistance in the brain discussed here.

Staying power in tennis also provides a hint of how to test for a real cure. When I truly cure the AD, I will play better after 1 hour than I did at the beginning. I am not there yet, but I'm working on it.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Naturenut
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on October 17, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

Amazing. I was screened and positive for gluten intolerance but not full blown Celiac. I'm trying to convince family to get tested because I had that hunch but no one listens. People don't realize what power nutrition holds. Thank you for the excellent article link, I'm sure it will help!

 [ Reply ]
  
  
annettek73
  [ Posted on October 16, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Savvy User

Drugs, in my humble opinion, are the main cause of both Alzheimers and type 2 Diabetes.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Dorle
 [ Joined on 01/07 ] [ Posted on October 16, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

I participated in a flu vaccine efficacy study at the University last year and have been asked to participate again this year. All the health care professionals I've consulted recommend having the flu vaccination since (a) I'm "elderly" myself and (b) as a volunteer in frequent contact with nursing home residents as well as babies at the immunization clinic. I have never had the flu, even colds very rearely, so I'm really in a quandry over this decision.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Naturenut
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on October 16, 2007 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

I was wondering if anyone has a theory regarding early-onset AD. If a lifetime of poor diet and lifestyle is thought to contribute to elderly AD, what about someone who is diagnosed at only 45? In addition, it is familial, as brothers, sisters and parents have or had it, verified by autopsy.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola