A growing body of scientific research is changing how we understand Alzheimer’s disease, with many experts now calling it “Type 3 Diabetes” due to its connection to insulin resistance in the brain. This paradigm shift suggests that the root causes of Alzheimer’s might be closely tied to lifestyle factors—especially those influencing blood sugar and insulin levels—offering new insights into both the prevention and treatment of this devastating condition.
In the U.S., discussions about diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s often remain separate. However, in many other countries, Alzheimer’s is being increasingly referred to as “Type 3 Diabetes” because of its link to insulin resistance. This connection is especially strong in people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), who are at much higher risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
At the heart of this association is the role of insulin in the brain. Insulin is essential not only for regulating blood sugar but also for proper brain function. When the brain becomes resistant to insulin, as often happens in people with T2D, brain cells don’t get the glucose they need to function properly. This can lead to a cascade of problems, including chronic inflammation, damage to blood vessels in the brain, and the buildup of plaques that interfere with cognitive processes.
Long-term, uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes can cause severe damage to blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the brain. This damage, compounded by high blood sugar, exacerbates inflammation and leads to imbalances in brain chemistry. Over time, this can result in the formation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles—hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques disrupt communication between neurons, leading to memory loss, confusion, and other symptoms associated with dementia.
A 2016 study of more than 100,000 individuals with dementia showed that those with Type 2 Diabetes were up to 90 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Interestingly, the risk appeared higher for women than for men, especially in cases of vascular dementia—a condition often caused by high blood pressure and obesity, two other risk factors associated with diabetes.
Vascular dementia is a type of dementia that results from reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and obesity. As insulin resistance and high blood sugar continue to damage the brain’s blood vessels, they create the perfect environment for the onset of vascular dementia, which can overlap with Alzheimer’s.
This overlap has led many in the medical community to believe that insulin resistance is a common factor that underpins both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s, further supporting the idea that Alzheimer’s is, in many cases, a metabolic disorder. As the understanding of this relationship deepens, the term “Type 3 Diabetes” has gained traction in scientific literature to describe Alzheimer’s, emphasizing its connection to insulin dysregulation.
Modern diets, filled with processed sugars, trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup, are major contributors to insulin resistance. These junk-food ingredients cause widespread inflammation in the body and contribute to leaky gut syndrome, which in turn can lead to leaky brain syndrome. When the brain’s protective barriers are compromised, neurotransmitters like dopamine leak out, contributing to cognitive dysfunction and the buildup of toxic plaques associated with dementia.
For many people, adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle may help to prevent or slow down the progression of “Type 3 Diabetes.” Key changes include reducing the intake of processed foods, eliminating high-fructose corn syrup, and avoiding trans fats, all of which contribute to insulin resistance and brain inflammation. Additionally, staying active, managing weight, and controlling blood sugar levels are essential steps for reducing the risk of both Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Some groups have linked the spike proteins in COVID-19 vaccines, referred to as “clot shots” in certain circles, to the development of vascular diseases, including vascular dementia. They claim these proteins contribute to clotting and clogging the vascular system, which could further exacerbate conditions like Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia. However, these claims remain highly controversial and are not widely accepted by mainstream medical experts.
Symptoms of insulin resistance in the brain can resemble those of early-stage Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia. These include memory loss, difficulty with everyday tasks, mood swings, poor judgment, and frequent misplacement of items. People experiencing these symptoms, especially if they have a history of Type 2 Diabetes, should seek medical advice and undergo tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, and cerebrospinal fluid examinations to check for early signs of dementia.
While Western medicine tends to focus on managing symptoms rather than curing diseases, individuals can take proactive steps to address the root causes of “Type 3 Diabetes” themselves. Diet and lifestyle modifications are crucial. This includes avoiding processed foods, GMOs, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Switching to whole, unprocessed foods and drinking clean, non-fluoridated water can help reduce the risk of insulin resistance and the associated cognitive decline.
The connection between insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s is a reminder of how intertwined our metabolic health is with brain function. By recognizing the importance of maintaining healthy insulin levels and making informed lifestyle choices, individuals can take control of their long-term cognitive health and potentially prevent the onset of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, in the years ahead.
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