Is There A Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's?
We've talked in the past about the rise of diabetes. It is a common statistic in the medical community that by 2050, one in three Americans will have some form of diabetes.
But did you another that Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is also on the rise? And scientists believe they may have discovered why.
The Rising Tide of Alzheimer's
It is estimated that by 2050 (there's that year again), 140 million people will suffer from AD worldwide. That number may be alarming, but according to Professor Bettina Platt of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, it shouldn't be.
“Many people are unaware of the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease,” Platt has said of her research. “But the fact is that around 80% of people with Alzheimer's disease also have some form of diabetes or disturbed glucose metabolism. This is hugely relevant as Alzheimer's is in the vast majority of cases not inherited, and lifestyle factors and comorbidities must therefore be to blame.”
Platt and her researchers recently conducted a study along with Professor Mirela Delibegovic of University of Aberdeen's diabetes research team. The two teams developed a model of AD for their analysis, which revealed that “increased levels of a gene involved in the production of toxic proteins in the brain not only led to Alzheimer's -like symptoms, but also to the development of diabetic complications.”
In fact, the relationship between AD and diabetes was so strong that Platt and Delibegovic concluded, in a study published by Diabetologica, that the drugs currently in use to treat diabetes may help slow the progress of Alzheimer's.
Another Link Across the World
The University of Aberdeen study reflects a connection that has been well-known to doctors on the other side of the globe for some time. In Japan, cases of AD have risen 6 percent over the past two decades, which many contribute to the Westernization of the Japanese diet. This nutritional shift has also resulted in a rise in type 2 diabetes across the country.
And though her findings may be unsettling to many, Platt believes this research is an incredible breakthrough for diabetics and Alzheimer's patients alike. “The good news is there are a number of new drugs available right now,” she said, “which we are testing to see if they would reverse both Alzheimer's and diabetes symptoms.
“We will also be able to study whether new treatments developed for Alzheimer's can improve both, the diabetic and cognitive symptoms.”
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...