What Is Type 3 Diabetes? Insulin Resistance In The Brain That Could Trigger Alzheimer’s
Most people are aware of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but did you know there is a type 3 diabetes as well! It is a more obscure term. Although it is not an accepted medical diagnosis, type 3 diabetes has been discussed in the literature as a possible relationship between insulin resistance in the brain and Alzheimer's disease. This link has been described to help explain how metabolic disorders impact brain health, causing cognitive decline and dementia.
Type 3 diabetes is more of a misnomer because it should not be confused with type 3c diabetes, which relates to pancreatic dysfunction. The term "type 3 diabetes," on the other hand, has been loosely used by some scientists to analogously propose that Alzheimer's disease is strongly implicated with insulin resistance in the brain.
This concept was conceptualized by Dr. Suzanne de la Monte and Dr. Jack Wands of Brown University in the year 2008. This hypothesis postulated that Alzheimer's disease may be called type 3 diabetes for it bears many similarities with glucose metabolism disorder type 2 diabetes. Their concept arises from the basic principle that insulin is fundamental to blood sugar regulation, but it is also the case with the brain. When brain cells become insulin-resistant, they lose access to glucose, impairing their function.
Research published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology supports this hypothesis by indicating that insulin resistance can be a significant contributor to the occurrence of dementia, also referred to as Alzheimer's. The symptoms of memory loss and diminished reasoning are associated with impaired glucose metabolism in the body, especially in the cerebral tissue.
Although type 3 diabetes is not a "medical term," its symptoms correlate well with Alzheimer's diseases that are known to reduce the ability to think in an efficient manner and bring down brain health. These signs are:
- Loss of memory, especially short-term.
- Poor judgment and judgment ability
- Failure in recognizing people or places familiar once.
- Failure in the process of reading, writing or processing numbers
- Anxiety, agitation, or mood changes.
- Disorganized thoughts or confusion
- Lack of impulse control
As the disease advances, patients may be afflicted with severe complications including an inability to swallow or control their bodily functions. In the final stages, most patients die from fatal complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
This may not be well understood with regards to type 3 diabetes, or the exact link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease. Some identified contributing factors include the following:
Insulin acts as an important regulatory mechanism of brain functions such as memory and cognition. The reduction in insulin signaling may impair metabolism of brain cells, thus bringing about neurodegeneration.
These diseases show a strong relationship and those individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have double chances of getting Alzheimer's. In the two, the main causes can be chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and a defect in glucose metabolism.
Insulin resistance associated with obesity, stress, and an unhealthy diet is considered a cause that may increase the chances of Alzheimer's disease.
Researches in Frontiers in Neuroscience and The Lancet Neurology have also highlighted that drugs used for antidiabetic medication may be crucial for the prevention or at least slowing down the course of Alzheimer's.
In 2022, in a study in Pharmaceuticals, researchers studied biomarker uptake in brain regions implicated in the faulty uptake and metabolism of blood sugar in Alzheimer’s patients.
Emerging Therapies
Research into such treatments as intranasal insulin has also been promising. Intranasal delivery of insulin directly to the brain has been reported to enhance glucose uptake by brain cells, improve memory, and boost cognitive performance. While such clinical trials have been shown to be successful, additional research is needed for safety and efficacy.
Medications
For patients being aggressive or agitated, antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed; however, therapies such as cognitive rehabilitation as well as cognitive stimulation therapy serve to preserve memory and executive function.
Lifestyle Interventions
Diet, exercise, and stress management are critical in preventing and managing insulin resistance. A review in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease also highlighted the benefits of Kirtan Kriya meditation, which can regulate genes involved in insulin and glucose metabolism, improve sleep, and reduce inflammation.
Although type 3 diabetes is not officially recognized, its connection to Alzheimer’s disease underscores the importance of proactive measures for brain health. Some prevention strategies include:
1. Healthy Diet
Consuming a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, whole grains, and healthy fats may support brain health.
2. Regular Exercise
Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and enhances overall metabolic health.
3. Stress Reduction
Mindfulness practices, including meditation, have been shown to lower stress levels, which can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
The term type 3 diabetes brings out the complex relationship between metabolic disorders and brain health. Even though it is not a recognized medical condition, the concept emphasizes the crucial role of insulin in brain function and its possible contribution to Alzheimer's disease. Continued research will hopefully provide hope for therapies such as intranasal insulin and lifestyle modifications.
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While once considered an old-age disease, experts are now seeing kidney damage in people in their 30s and 40s. The prevalence of CKD in India has jumped significantly, moving from about 11 percent from 2011-17 to over 16 percent from 2018-23 among those aged 15 and above.
Kidneys are remarkably efficient that they can lose a vast majority of their function without causing any pain or noticeable symptoms. By the time physical warning signs such as foot swelling or fatigue appear, the underlying damage has already reached an advanced stage.
To catch issues early, the article recommends three standard tests:
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As people across the globe observe World Kidney Day, experts are sounding the alarm over the dangerous everyday habits that are worsening your kidney function and paving the way for the development of chronic conditions.
Dr Neha Bhandari, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Nephrology, Aakash Healthcare exclusively tells Healthandme: "Kidneys are very crucial in ensuring that the body maintains its internal equilibrium by filtering wastes, fluid regulation, electrolytes regulation, and in the process of assisting in blood pressure regulation as well.
"Nevertheless, a number of general living habits that have developed as part of contemporary everyday activity such as high painkiller use, large intake of processed foods and progressively sedentary lifestyles have the potential of slowly damaging the kidney functions. Since the damage of the kidneys frequently happens without any symptoms, and has no symptoms in severe cases, such simple habits can become a serious problem in the long-term, without any treatment."
Dr A K Jayaraj, MBBS, MS (Gen Surgery), MCH (Urology) at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai also told this publication: "From the painkillers people take to relieve pain to the food they eat and the lifestyle they lead, there are a number of factors that can affect the functioning of these small but powerful organs.
"Focusing on these three factors helps keep these internal filters running smoothly by supporting clear blood flow, steady blood pressure, and balanced energy levels."
Here are the habits you need to keep an eye out for to protect your kidneys:
"Pain killers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are known to constrict the blood vessels that lead to the kidneys. Constricted blood vessels limit the ability of the kidneys to filter blood, and frequent use of painkillers in the long run may lead to scarring or chronic diseases in the kidneys. It is always better to use the lowest
dose possible and look for other alternatives to pain killers, such as physical therapy, bed rest or heat packs."
Moreover, Dr Bhandari added: "In the long run, the continuous intake of these kinds of medicines can cause long-term kidney damage to the person, particularly those who are already predisposed to other conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and dehydration or people who already have kidney disease. Overdosing with painkillers may also cause a situation called analgesic nephropathy which involves progressive renal damage and functional weakness of the kidney as a result of constant exposure to the drugs."
"What a person eats directly affects how hard their kidneys have to work. Modern processed foods are often a "triple threat" because of their high levels of salt, sugar, and chemical additives.
While doctors around the world note that having an active lifestyle can do wonders for both mental and physical health, Dr Bhandari highlights the dangers of not incorporating a workout in your routine.
She tells Healthandme: "Lack of exercise leads to weight gain, poor metabolic health, insulin resistance, and blood pressure all of which are great risk factors of kidney disease. The immobility also impacts circulation and general cardiovascular health, which in turn indirectly impacts on the effectiveness of the kidney functionality needs as adequate blood flow is needed to make the kidney processes effectively.
"Those who work long hours sitting with little physical activity during the time can gradually be a contributor to the disease conditions, which increases the damage to kidneys without thinking of the side effects of the disease in the long term.
"Indirect contribution can also be made by hydration habits. Most people replaced water with sweet drinks or caffeinated ones or soft drinks, which may lead to metabolic disorders and an overload of the kidney. Proper filtration and aiding in the excretion of toxins and metabolic waste into the body is facilitated by the adequate water intake."
"Weight gain and high blood sugar are the primary causes of kidney failure. Daily exercise, such as a 30-minute walk every day, helps the body regulate blood sugar well and maintain healthy blood pressure at all times. This, in turn, does not overwork the kidneys and allows them to perform at optimal capacity," Dr Jayaraj advised.
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Often referred as a "silent killer," Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive and irreversible condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. When the kidneys fail, waste builds up to high levels in your blood, potentially leading to complications like heart disease or stroke.
Recent data from The Lancet and the Global Burden of Disease study reveals that out of nearly 14 crore Indians living with CKD, nearly 40 percent of diabetic patients and 40 percent of those with long-standing hypertension are at risk of developing CKD.
As CKD frequently shows no symptoms until nearly 90 percent of kidney function is already gone, Dr. Visweswar Reddy, Senior Consultant in Nephrology at SRM Prime Hospital, shares early signs everyone should look out for.
He noted that one of the biggest challenges with kidney disease is that symptoms often appear very late said “Unfortunately, most of these symptoms appear only when more than 90 per cent of kidney function has already been lost.”
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