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.

People diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a 71% higher rate of death from any cause than those without the condition, new review published in JAMA Network Open states. The findings highlight health risks that extend beyond ADHD's core symptoms.

The study also found higher rates of death by suicide and injuries. ADHD medication, on the other hand, was reported to cause overall lower mortality.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Liverpool reviewed 19 observational studies involving nearly 16 million people across three continents.

Suicide And Injuries Among Key Concerns

The review found that people with ADHD had an 89% higher rate of death by suicide and a 55% higher rate of death from intentional or unintentional injuries, compared to people without ADHD.

Deaths from natural causes, including those related to physical health conditions, were also 27% higher.

Researchers said several factors could contribute to these findings. People with ADHD may experience difficulties with impulse control and emotional regulation, as well as higher rates of other mental health conditions. Challenges with attention may also contribute to accidental injuries, including road accidents.

Physical health risks due to lifestyle may play a role too. Smoking, alcohol use, substance abuse and accessing healthcare could affect these results.

Senior author Professor Joshua Stott of UCL said, “We found that people with ADHD face an increased risk not only of death by suicide and injury, but also of deaths by natural causes, adding to evidence that health inequalities faced by people with ADHD are broad and wide-ranging.”

Also read: ADHD: Debunking Common Misconceptions About ADHD

ADHD Medication Linked With Lower Mortality

The review found that people with ADHD who took prescribed medication had a 25% lower risk of death from any cause than those who did not take medication.

However, this finding was based on only three of the 19 studies included in the review. The researchers said that more research is needed to understand whether medication directly reduces mortality risk.

First author Lucy Corrigan of the University of Liverpool said, “Our findings provide early evidence to suggest that medication may play an important role in supporting the health of people with ADHD, but this is based on a small number of studies and further research is needed to clarify this link. And medication is just part of the story; many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support.”

Also read: Adult ADHD: How Does It Impact People's Lives? What Are Its Symptoms?

More Investigation Needed

The researchers said that all the studies included in the review were observational. This means the results show associations and cannot establish that ADHD itself causes early death or that medication prevents it. The studies also differed in their methods and in the size of the risks they reported.

Stott said, “ADHD is not by definition a life-limiting condition as the right support and treatment can help people with ADHD to live long and healthy lives. Our findings underscore the importance of ensuring that everyone who may have ADHD has access to accurate diagnosis and treatment. While ADHD diagnosis rates have risen in recent years, they may still lag behind actual prevalence, particularly for older age groups where mortality risk may be most pertinent.”

Morning walks are a popular part of many older adults’ daily routines. But is walking alone enough to maintain bone strength and prevent osteoporosis as we age?

Walking 30–40 minutes every day is a good habit. However, it may not be enough to maintain bone and muscle strength as we age. A person may walk daily and still struggle to get up from a low chair or maintain balance on an uneven surface. These are important signs of functional strength that deserve as much attention as daily step counts, experts said on World Osteoporosis Day.

Falls are a significant concern among older adults worldwide. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of 104 studies estimated that 26.5% of older adults globally experienced falls. In India, a 2026 analysis of data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India found that 11.56% of adults aged 60 and older reported a history of falls. Chronic joint disease was among the factors independently associated with falls.

Why Walking Alone May Not Be Enough

Also read: Osteoporosis Affects Nearly 20% Of US Women Aged 50+: Why Screening Is Key

Dr. Siddhart Yadav, Senior Consultant, Orthopedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, told HealthandMe that bone density and muscle mass tend to decline with age.

“In women, bone loss can accelerate after menopause, while men too are at risk of age-related bone loss. When weaker bones are combined with reduced muscle strength and poor balance, even a relatively minor fall can result in a fracture, particularly around the hip or wrist,” he said.

“While women are hit hardest, often assuming household chores are adequate exercise, men are equally vulnerable as muscle mass silently declines after 50. In both, excess weight paired with weak muscle leaves weaker bones exposed to fractures during simple falls,” Dr. Thineshchandar Andiappan, Senior Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Athulya Geriatric Hospital told HealthandMe.

What Exercises Should Adults Over 60 Include?

A casual morning walk alone may not provide enough stimulus to maintain bone density, muscle strength, and balance. Experts recommend combining walking with progressive resistance and strength training. Starting in your 40s can help preserve strength, but it is never too late to begin an appropriate exercise routine.

Along with regular walking, older adults should include simple strength and balance exercises in their routine.

Dr. Siddhart suggested chair sit-to-stands, supported squats, heel raises, and resistance-band exercises to help maintain the strength needed for everyday activities. Light dumbbell exercises for the upper body can also help strengthen the arms, shoulders and other upper-body muscles.

Exercises should be introduced gradually and tailored to individual health and mobility, particularly for people with osteoporosis or a history of fractures.

A 30-40-minute walk is beneficial, but it does not have to be completed in one stretch. If the muscles begin to feel tired, taking a short break of two to three minutes before resuming the walk is reasonable.

Diet and Vitamin D Also Matter

Read More: Osteoporosis Drugs Offer New Hope For Back Pain By Blocking Disc Mineralisation: Study

Along with exercise, adequate nutrition supports bone and muscle health. Calcium-rich foods such as milk, curd, paneer, ragi and sesame, together with adequate protein, can help meet nutritional needs. Vitamin D levels should be assessed when clinically indicated.

“Falls in elderly persons happen more often due to instability, muscle weakness, and other reasons. It is very important to address all the issues in addition to the management of osteoporosis for preventing such fractures. The comprehensive treatment will include a good diet, adequate sunlight exposure, in addition to exercises, which must involve weight training and stability-building training,” Dr. V Singaravadivelu, Senior Consultant and Academic Lead, Orthopaedic Surgery, Kauvery Hospital told HealthandMe.

A sugar naturally found in red meat may help explain why beef and lamb have long been linked to type 2 diabetes, according to a large new study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes’ Annual Meeting in Milan.

Researchers tracked nearly 90,000 adults with no history of diabetes or cancer through NutriNet-Sante, a long-running French health study, according to a release from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Over a median follow-up of 7.2 years, 966 participants developed type 2 diabetes.

The focus was a sugar called N-glycolylneuraminic acid, or Neu5Gc, found mainly in beef and lamb. People with the highest intake of meat-derived Neu5Gc had a 63% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest intake, the EASD reported. The risk rose steadily with intake: the second-highest group already carried a 41% higher risk.

“This is a relative risk: people in the top fifth of meat-derived Neu5Gc intake had a 63% higher risk than those in the bottom fifth, after accounting for many other factors,” said lead author Dr. Leopold Fezeu of Universite Sorbonne Paris Nord told Medical News Today. “It does not mean that 63% of high consumers will develop diabetes.”

Also Read: World Osteoporosis Day: Why Women Face A Higher Risk of Osteoporosis As They Age

Why Scientists Suspect Inflammation

Most mammals produce Neu5Gc naturally, but humans lost that ability after an ancient genetic mutation, according to the EASD. The sugar can still enter the body through food and get absorbed into human tissue. Because the body doesn’t recognise Neu5Gc as its own, the immune system may treat it as foreign, producing antibodies against it in a prolonged immune response called xenosialitis, previously linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer.

“Our findings support chronic inflammation as a specific mechanism linking red meat consumption with T2D, partly beyond the amount of red meat a person eats and partly independent of body fat,” Fezeu said.

What Are The Key Findings?

Not just weight: Notably, obesity accounted for only about 13% of the link between Neu5Gc intake and diabetes risk, the EASD reported, suggesting the sugar’s effects may extend beyond weight gain alone.

Dairy showed no link: Despite also containing Neu5Gc, dairy products showed no association with diabetes risk, likely because cow’s milk contains far smaller amounts than red meat.

An important caveat

When researchers additionally adjusted for total red meat intake, the Neu5Gc-diabetes link weakened and was no longer statistically significant, though it pointed the same direction.

“There may be differences between sources, or other components of red meat may contribute,” Fezeu said, meaning the study can’t fully separate Neu5Gc’s effect from red meat generally.

What comes next

Since the study is observational, it cannot prove Neu5Gc causes diabetes. Fezeu’s team plans to measure antibodies against Neu5Gc directly and study how it interacts with iron in red meat.

“Future research should explore whether reducing exposure to meat-derived Neu5Gc, for example by favoring poultry or plant-based proteins over beef and lamb... could help prevent T2D,” Fezeu said.