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.

What is Type 3 Diabetes?

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.

Symptoms of Type 3 Diabetes

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.

Causes of Type 3 Diabetes

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:

1. Insulin Resistance

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.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

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.

3. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

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.

Treatments for Type 3 Diabetes

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.

Can Type 3 Diabetes Be Prevented?

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.

The manosphere is a network of male-centric online groups, forums and communities that focus on men’s issues, masculinity definition and the changing roles and treatment of men in today’s world. Oftentimes, the content produced in the manosphere leans heavily towards promoting misogyny online, distorting the definitions of feminism and masculinity.

A recent Lancet report highlights this issue, stating that these online communities that promote misogyny, male victimisation and hostility towards feminism are actually a growing public health problem. The report also suggests that this public health concern should be addressed in the same way as obesity or smoking.

The researchers say that the so-called manosphere not only normalises violence and misogyny towards women but also affects men’s mental health, fueling issues like social isolation and discouraging them from seeking help.

In the paper, titled Reframing the manosphere: a public health response to a commercial ecosystem, authors Sarah J Hawkes and Kent Buse describe the manosphere as a “diffuse commercial ecosystem and loose collection of online communities united by shared beliefs about masculinity, misogyny, and male victimisation”.

These communities often promote the idea that men are facing masculinity crisis and social isolation and that feminism has systematically disadvantaged and exploited them. The authors argue that these narratives can wrongfully make young men believe that their personal difficulties are due to women, which could direct their frustration towards the opposite gender.

The authors wrote, “Men’s problems are framed [in the manosphere] as the result of feminism rather than structural conditions, and masculine identity is commodified through products and paid content that normalise and reinforce health-harming and performance-oriented masculinities.”

Manosphere And Men's Mental Health

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The authors identify several conditions that can make boys and young men vulnerable to manosphere content, including loneliness, educational disengagement, social exclusion, financial insecurity and uncertainty about their future.

Prof Sarah Hawkes, the report’s other author, said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard."

She added, “Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”

The authors also say that they may also reinforce resentment towards women and promote toxic ideas about masculinity, gender, relationships and success. They also say that these communities can harm men's mental health, contribute to body image concerns and discourage them from seeking professional support.

The authors argue that this business model can exploit insecurity while presenting structural problems as individual failures or the result of feminism. Some influencers promote twisted ideas of masculinity and encourage followers to purchase supplements, hormones and financial products.

Prof Kent Buse, a co-author of the paper and co-founder of the social justice thinktank Global 50/50, explained, “This is a business model, not a fringe. Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content. Expect the playbook that served tobacco so well: blame the individual, and call regulation an attack on freedom. Public health has a tested toolkit for commercial harms and we should use it.”

Online Misogyny Contributes To Violence Against Women

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The report also examines the consequences of following manosphere for women and girls. The authors warn that the manosphere can normalise misogynistic outlooks, reinforce gender inequality and create an environment in which violence against women and girls is more readily accepted.

The concern is not limited to individual posts or influencers. The researchers describe a commercial network in which content creators can benefit from extreme expressions of gender and hostility.

They compare the strategies used by this online ecosystem with those of industries such as tobacco and ultra-processed food, arguing that both can shift responsibility towards individuals while resisting regulation.

“Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content,” said co-author Kent Buse.

He added, “Boys and men are not the problem. The problem is the conditions that leave them isolated and without a secure future, and the companies that profit from their anger and insecurity.”

Just Censoring Harmful Content May Not Be Enough

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The authors argue that simply removing misogynistic content or restricting access to certain communities will not address the reasons why young men are drawn to them.

Co-author Sarah Hawkes said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard. Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”

The report also calls for a coordinated response involving governments, schools, healthcare services and community organisations. This includes improving access to education, skills training and employment opportunities, addressing social isolation and ensuring that boys and young men can access mental health services.

Manosphere Is A Public Health Issue

The researchers identify six priorities for action: addressing the social and economic conditions that make young men vulnerable, improving collaboration between health and education services, developing effective communication strategies, regulating harmful platforms, investing in research and monitoring, and confronting the bigger misogyny and anti-gender equality attitudes that keeps these communities running.

They argue that regulation should focus on the commercial incentives that amplify harmful content, rather than placing the entire responsibility on individuals who consume it.

Menopause is gradually finding its well-deserved place in mainstream media. For the first time in a dozen years, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has revised its clinical guidance on treating key menopause symptoms like including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and mood swings.

The new guidance, released in October 2026, talks about hormone therapy as the most effective treatment for moderate to severe hot flashes.

It also highlights non-hormonal options like cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and clinical hypnosis for women who do not want to opt for hormone therapy.

The update comes after certain boxed safety warnings on hormone-based products were removed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Hormone Therapy Recommended For Women With Menopause

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Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats. These symptoms occur as changing hormone levels affect the body's temperature.

ACOG recommends systemic hormone therapy containing oestrogen and a progestogen for women with a uterus. Women who do not need endometrial protection may receive oestrogen alone.

The guidance also suggests considering hormone therapy for sleep disturbances, which is also one of the vasomotor symptoms.

However, hormone therapy may not be a viable option for everyone. Decisions should be made jointly by patients and their doctors, which may be taken after taking into account age, medical history, cardiovascular disease risk, breast cancer risk and the risk of venous thromboembolism, or blood clots.

ACOG also recommends starting treatment before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the onset of natural menopause for.

Women Who Cannot Take Hormone Therapy

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Women who cannot take hormone therapy have several other non-hormonal options. ACOG recommends selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are antidepressant medicines that can also help manage hot flashes.

Another option is neurokinin receptor antagonists. These medicines act on pathways involved in regulating body temperature and can reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Fezolinetant and elinzanetant are examples of medicines in this category.

Gabapentin may also be considered when other non-hormonal medicines are ineffective .

Lifestyle And Behavioural Changes

The updated guidance also recognises lifestyle and behavioural changes for managing menopause symptoms. ACOG suggests cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help with hot flashes, sleep disturbances and mood symptoms.

Mindfulness-based interventions and physical exercise may help improve sleep and mood, while clinical hypnosis may reduce hot flashes and improve sleep and anxiety symptoms.

Acupuncture is also an option that may help tackle vasomotor symptoms and improve sleep and mood.

These alternative options can be used alone or alongside medication, depending on a woman's symptoms and treatment preferences.

Menopause can affect several aspects of health and daily life. Hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep, while mood changes and other symptoms may affect work, relationships and overall quality of life.

For a long time, concerns about the risks of hormone therapy have influenced how patients and doctors approach treatment.

The new guidance reinforces that hormone therapy remains an effective option for many women, while stressing the importance of individual risk assessment and preference.

When we think of perimenopause, irregular periods, hot flashes and mood changes usually come to mind. But the transition to menopause is not limited to the menstrual cycle. Behind the scenes, changing ovarian hormones—particularly fluctuating and eventually declining estrogen—can influence body composition, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels, bone health and cardiovascular risk.

For many women, these metabolic changes begin years before their final menstrual period.

Why does weight suddenly behave differently?

A common concern during perimenopause is: “I haven’t changed my diet, so why am I gaining weight around my abdomen?”

Ageing itself contributes to gradual loss of muscle mass and changes in energy expenditure. At the same time, the menopausal transition is associated with a shift in fat distribution, with a greater tendency to accumulate visceral or abdominal fat.

This matters because visceral fat is metabolically active. An increase in abdominal fat can be associated with insulin resistance, abnormal cholesterol levels and a higher risk of metabolic disease. So, the change in waist circumference may sometimes tell us more about metabolic health than the number on the weighing scale alone.

Also read: After Menopause, These Breast Changes Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Blood sugars may raise up too

Estrogen interacts with several pathways involved in glucose and fat metabolism. During midlife, changes in body composition, reduced physical activity, sleep disturbance and hormonal changes can collectively make insulin sensitivity less favourable.

This does not mean every woman going through perimenopause will develop diabetes. However, women who already have risk factors—such as overweight or obesity, prediabetes, a history of gestational diabetes or a strong family history of type 2 diabetes—should be particularly mindful.

Cholesterol and heart health deserve attention

The menopausal transition can also be accompanied by unfavourable changes in the lipid profile, including changes in LDL cholesterol. Cardiovascular risk increases with age, and menopause is an important time to reassess risk factors such as blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, smoking, physical activity and body composition.

Women often spend years focusing on reproductive health while overlooking these equally important metabolic markers.

Also read: World Menopause Day: Is It Empty Nest Syndrome Or Menopause Symptoms? Expert Explains

Muscles and bones need attention as well

Midlife is also an important period for protecting muscle and bone. Declining estrogen after menopause accelerates bone loss, while ageing contributes to loss of muscle mass.

Resistance training therefore becomes especially valuable. Adequate protein intake, regular weight-bearing exercise, sufficient calcium and vitamin D, good sleep and avoiding smoking can support healthier ageing.

What should women do?

Perimenopause should not be viewed as a disease, nor should every symptom or kilogram gained in midlife automatically be blamed on hormones. Instead, it is an opportunity for a metabolic health check.

Women should discuss appropriate screening for blood pressure, blood glucose or HbA1c, lipid profile, weight and waist circumference monitoring , DEXA scan for bone health, depending on their individual risk factors.

Most importantly, don’t wait for menopause to start thinking about metabolic health. The perimenopausal years can be an important window to build muscle, improve fitness, optimise nutrition and identify metabolic risk early.

Perimenopause is more than a change in periods—it is a transition in whole-body health. Understanding these changes early can help women enter the next phase of life stronger, healthier and better prepared.

(By Dr. Seema Daksh, MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Endocrinology), Consultant Endocrinologist,Kailash Hospital, Greater Noida)