Unwelcome Link
New research shows that impaired insulin signalling in the brain, often a feature of diabetes, may adversely impact cognition, mood and metabolismall of which are common aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Although the conditions are seemingly independent of each other, studies have found that people with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. However, the mechanisms behind this relationship remain far from fully understood. Now, a study by Joslin Diabetes Center of Harvard Medical School, Boston, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America journal, is trying to unravel it all. Researchers worked with both the hippocampus and central amygdala, areas of the brain that help with cognition function as well as metabolic control.
This is the first study that shows a relationship between these disrupted pathways and cognition problems, says senior author of the study C. Ronald Kahn, chief academic officer at Joslin and the Mary K. Iacocca professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. With diabetes and obesity, resistance builds up in these pathways. Therefore, we think this could be an important factor as to why people with Alzheimer’s and diabetes have a faster accelerated course or have more Alzheimer’s disease. Investigating these connections, the study says, may lead to recommendations of lifestyle changes well before a disease manifests itself. Alzheimer’s, though, is not a normal part of aging and while most of those who have it are 65 years and older, it can affect younger people.
Diet for diabetics
Diabetics can manage blood sugar levels by making beneficial food choices. Eating a healthful, balanced diet can help prevent complications by lowering the risk of heart and kidney disease and increasing anti-oxidant activity. Balancing certain foods goes a long way in improving overall well-being.
Add these foods to your diet: Green leafy vegetables, beans, sweet potato, whole grains, probiotic yoghurt, fatty fish, citrus fruits, berries, walnuts and chia seeds.
Limit these foods: Alcohol, foods high in carbohydrates, melon, pineapple, popcorn, puffed rice, pumpkin, refined sugar, salted foods, sugary drinks, white bread, white rice, white pasta and white potato.
A Juicy Break From High Sugar
Vitamin C is the new weapon against Type 2 diabetes. Two 500 mg doses daily can lower elevated blood sugar levels and reduce postmeal blood sugar spikes, says a Deakin University, Australia study published in the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism journal.
We found participants had a 36 per cent drop in blood sugar spike after meals. This is extremely positive news as hyperglycaemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people living with type 2 diabetes, says lead researcher Glenn Wadley.
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