The insulin resistance that accompanies type 2 diabetes puts the brain at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study from Wisconsin.
How the Scientists Learned about the Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease:
The investigators recruited people with an average age of 60 for an Alzheimer’s disease prevention study. They used brain scans to see how well the brains were using fuel, and found that folks with insulin resistance were less efficient at burning energy in the parts of the brain first affected with Alzheimer’s disease.
This research did not follow people over time to see who developed Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia in the subsequent years. That study should be done in the future to verify these conclusions.
Even before Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed, people with insulin resistance had decreased cognitive function. Insulin resistance is increased by obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a diet high in fructose and refined carbs as well as certain drugs, including statins.
JAMA Neurology, online July 27, 2015
If you are concerned about this connection between insulin resistance and the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, it makes sense to follow a diet that lowers the likelihood of developing diabetes.
You may also be interested in our interview with Dr. Dale Bredesen about his multifaceted plan for cutting the probability of an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis or even reversing the disease if it has not progressed too far.
