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Alzheimer’s Might Be a Type of Diabetes

Studies show a link between Alzheimer's and insulin resistanceBrown University researcher Suzanne de la Monte showed a distinct link between Alzheimer’s and insulin resistance, a characteristic of diabetes.

De la Monte studied rats who were fed a compound that prevented their brains from using insulin, and she discovered that they could not learn mazes or remember previous skills. She said, “They were demented. They couldn’t learn or remember.”

Researchers also fed healthy men and women fatty and sugary foods for a month, and levels of insulin and beta amyloid rose.

Diets high and fat and sugar have been linked to dementia through studies on cholesterol and blood pressure, which can damage the walls of blood vessels and prevent oxygen from getting to crucial areas in the brain. However, this latest study shows that insulin is a key hormone in brain function as well.

Insulin helps regulate brain chemicals and strengthen connections between brain cells, which help with memory and learning.

Triggering diabetes in rabbits also showed Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in their brains. Like humans with Alzheimer’s, the rabbits developed beta amyloid plaques which clog up the brain.

Further evidence comes from the University of Pennsylvania. Brain tissue taken from cadavers was soaked in insulin: the normal brain tissue sprung back to life, while the Alzheimer’s brain tissue barely reacted.

So-called “Type 3 diabetes,” or “brain diabetes,” has been a theory since 2008. However, the new evidence linking the brain’s production and use of insulin to Alzheimer’s can pave the way toward new potential cures. The problem, however, is the rising rates of obesity across the world. Thirty-five percent of adults in the United States have BMI’s equal to or over 30 – that’s about 78 million people.

If insulin resistance is linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia, there could be an epidemic of dementia in the next few decades.

Weight loss is very important when dealing with Type 2 diabetes, which is the form of the disease caused by blood sugar resistance. Diet and exercise are the best ways to combat developing Type 2 diabetes, as well as high cholesterol and high blood sugar, which can also cause dementia. If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, consult with your doctor on the best way to treat your condition. Diabetes drugs like Actos and Avandia can cause dangerous side effects such as bladder cancer, heart disease, liver failure, and diabetic macular edema, and are not the best option for many patients.

If you or a loved one has Type 2 diabetes, has taken Actos to treat the condition, and has since been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced personal injury lawyers at the Strom Law Firm are accepting cases nationwide against Takeda Pharmaceuticals. We offer free consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800.

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