Type II diabetes develops when pancreas cells start making less insulin or liver, muscle, and fat cells become resistant to insulin. It is a top killer of humans. Now, according to an article in the September 1 issue of New Scientist magazine, some scientists have found evidence that cells in the brain can develop resistance to insulin, with catastrophic effects, including the development of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). They call AD Type III diabetes. The evidence: First, brain cells of normal cadaver brains perk up (start up chemical reactions) when bathed in insulin. Brain cells of former AD patients do not respond. Second, in rats, when a researcher blocked normal responses to insulin, the rats became disoriented and failed to learn from experience; their brains showed plaques similar to those found in the brains of humans with AD. Third, when researchers shot insulin into the nose of individuals with AD, their symptoms of dementia decreased. Now, researchers are testing anti-diabetes drugs like metformin on patients with diabetes.
What causes insulin resistance? Foods with high sugar, high fat, and high glycemic index. What seems to protect cells? Omega 3 (the counterbalancing 3 to III!), flavanoids, and exercise. According to the article, regular exercise reduces the risk of developing AD by 40%.
It might help if people picture their brain floating on a sea of sugar and fat and ask, “What will come of that?
What are your ideas about how to get people to eat and exercise sensibly?
John Malouff, PhD, JD
Assoc Prof of Psychology
This is a cogent and plausible explanation to the question: How do we stop this exponential growth rate of dementia (e.g., AD)?
Research into AD and the like is foolhardy if sugar, exercise and attitudes aren’t major components of the equation. I would strongly suggest that neuropsychology is the frontier. It is a way to re-think how we are coping with longevity as current antiquated models are proving fruitless and in-congruent, if not irrational.
The way forward requires education and increased awareness of the pervasive implications of neuropsycholgy in our lives. From the detrimental effects of computer games and TV, that do much of our creative thinking and problem solving, to how we use technology in our everyday lives. Simply put, we are getting lazy – in the mind. We need to use ‘Mindfulness’ as a way to counteract this apathetic trend towards blind acceptance of technology as a savior of our lives. I would contend that the opposite is happening. We are exercising less, eating high GI foods as a result of media saturation of fast foods. We are turning to easy solutions in relation to what to do with our spare time or cooking requirements – without really thinking.
At this rate the healthy but thin lab rat is looking like it will take over. No wonder I liked that show ‘Pink and the Brain’, a cartoon show where brain tries to take over the world every day. It is the slow witted Pinky that usually undermines Brain’s grandiose attempts to control humans. Maybe not any more. We are helping Brain to take over ourselves through our lifestyles.
Hi BB. I agree that humans ought to do what they can to keep their brain healthy. Today I did interval training and ate a low-glycemic diet, other than a Christmas candy. I am about to exercise my brain by proof-reading an article of mine related to the value of graphic images in helping people quit smoking.