Alzheimer’s Disease and Sugar—Is There a Connection?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million people in the US are living with Alzheimer’s Disease. This number is expected to reach 13 million by 2050. 33% of seniors die from Alzheimer’s or dementia which is more than deaths from breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. There is no exact known cause for Alzheimer’s, but genetics do increase risk as well as other environmental and lifestyle factors.
Carriers of the gene apolipoprotein E4 (APOE-e4) have a slightly increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s. The presence of this gene also increases risk of atherosclerosis (plaque in the arteries) as LDL (or bad cholesterol) increases. There is also a connection between high cholesterol and atherosclerosis and other types of dementia, such as vascular dementia2.
In Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal protein plaques called beta-amyloid and tau proteins form and accumulate in the brain. There is evidence that these proteins are heavily GLYCATED. In general, glycation is the process by which sugar molecules “stick” to proteins and fats. When it sticks to your red blood cells, it is called glycosylated hemoglobin, or HgbA1c. When sugar sticks to proteins, over time, they become oxidized and form advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. In diabetics, AGEs are responsible for many of the co-morbidities associated with diabetes such as atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, neuropathy, and dementia...
What about in Alzheimer’s Disease? Beta-amyloid plaques from those with Alzheimer’s Disease were found to have 3 times more AGE’s than age matched controls. Additionally, based on research, we know that those with diabetes have an increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease, and older women with diabetes are more at risk than older men.
Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and medications have not been very effective. Recently a new medication, aducanumab, was approved by the FDA, but not without some controversy regarding its effectiveness. This medication is a monoclonal antibody that attacks the beta-amyloid proteins to reduce the size of the plaques.
But are there other ways to prevent and reduce plaques?
There have been studies that have shown that a ketogenic diet can improve cognitive performance in those with Alzheimer’s Disease. A ketogenic diet is essentially a high fat, low carbohydrate diet. With the lack of glucose or sugar as fuel, the body starts burning fat for fuel instead. The fuel is called a ketone. Nutritional ketosis is not harmful to the body. It appears that as we age, sugar becomes worse for us… It is ironic that these advanced glycation end products that are so damaging to the body and associated with dementia, are called AGE’s!
Studies have shown that regular, moderate aerobic exercise can reduce risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease by 30-50%. There are multiple mechanisms involved such as increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain, improving cholesterol, and reducing blood sugar. Exercise has also been shown to improve mood and cognition in those who already have Alzheimer’s Disease.
Berberine is an active ingredient in herbs such as Coptis and Goldenseal. It has been shown to have strong blood sugar lowering and triglyceride lowering effects. Berberine can be taken as a supplement with the combination of diet and exercise for improved blood sugar control.
Ultimately there is not one treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease as medications so far have not proven to be very effective. But taking a whole person approach by investigating lifestyle and metabolic indicators can help to prevent and even reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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