The Sour Side to Sugar, Part 3: Early Onset Dementia
By Stephen Brandis, CSCS
In two of our previous posts we discussed sugar; what it is, the different kinds, and why our bodies require it. We also went over how chronically elevated blood sugar levels can be detrimental, and can cause a plethora of chronic illness such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, and neuropathy (nerve damage) which can lead to amputation of distal extremities.
There is a growing amount of evidence that links chronic high blood sugar to early onset dementia (irreversible memory loss) and Alzheimer’s Disease as well. Alzheimer’s, traditionally has only been thought of as a genetically inherited illness passed down from generation to generation, however, it is suggested that your genes may not be as much at fault as is lifestyle and environment. A sedentary lifestyle, filled with fatty and sugary foods has left more than 150 million Americans at risk for developing dementia and possibly Alzheimer’s disease in the not so distant future. That leads to the question of what exactly is dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, and how can high blood sugar be detrimental to cognitive function when it is the main source of fuel for the brain?
What is Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?:
Dementia is an irreversible condition that affects mental function including language, memory, perception, personality or emotional behavior. Dementia also affects cognitive skills such as judgement, calculation, and abstract thinking. There are different levels of dementia with varying severities of symptoms (Alzheimer’s being the most common) and is rare in people under the age of 60. It often begins simply with forgetfulness, difficulty making decisions, and longer being able to perform difficult mental tasks. As it progresses, symptoms become more pronounced and they can no longer perform basic tasks such as dressing themselves, eating, and bathing without assistance. Nor can they recognize family members, understand language, and may have difficulty reading and writing. In severe cases, hallucinations and violent behavior can occur as well.
The Cause:
The cause of dementia can be attributed to genetics, but the root of the issue in some cases stem from brain injury, brain tumors, chronic alcohol abuse, vitamin B12 deficiency, and the use of certain medications such as cimetadine and some of those that lower cholesterol.
There has also been a long established association between the development of Alzheimer’s and those with type 2 diabetes, being two to three times more likely to be afflicted by this form of dementia than the general population. Correlations between Alzheimer’s and obesity, and Alzheimer’s and metabolic syndrome (a myriad of diet induced pathologies) have been noted as well. So what is the link between high blood sugar and cognitive degeneration that is expected to produce more than 115 million new cases in the next half century?
The Link:
What ties all this together is insulin resistance (IR), which is the root cause of type 2 diabetes. When you become insulin resistant, you are unable to properly manage blood sugar which can sky rocket to dangerous levels. You need blood sugar to survive but too much of a good thing can have negative consequences. Those who are insulin resistant and have chronically high blood sugar, begin to develop microvessel disease. When this happens, small blood vessels in the body can become damaged due to glucose’s (blood sugar) high acidic make-up, which has a corrosive effect on blood vessels and nerves. Over time the damage to the blood vessels in the brain begins to take its toll, directly causing a decrease in the amount of oxygen being supplied to the area. With less than adequate amounts of oxygen, the brain actually begins to atrophy (shrink) leading to reduced cognitive function.
You do not necessarily need to be a diabetic for this to occur. Those on the higher end of the normal range for blood sugar levels are at a greater risk for accelerating this condition, and causing their brain to age faster than it should.
Prevention?:
Early onset Dementia can be slowed or even prevented in some individuals who are taking an active role in changing different habits in their lifestyle. These include daily exercise, losing a little weight if you are carrying a few extra pounds, eating a diet high in antioxidant-rich colorful vegetables and fruits, and consuming foods that provide omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon or tuna. Doing this while limiting simple carbohydrates in your diet can make a significant difference in saving your cognitive function in the long run and will also lower your risk for developing pre-diabetes or diabetes as well.
