SWEET MEMORIES
We all enjoy reminiscing about the past from time to time.
Revisiting our experiences with people, pets, events and places is one of the simplest yet most rewarding pleasures life has to offer. Memories are powerful…so powerful that they are the best and most genuine way of coping with the loss of a loved one.
Shortly after my dear grandmother passed away several years ago, I bumped into a close friend of mine who specializes in psychology. Smiling warmly, he offered his condolences and encouraged me to embrace my fond memories of her. He said that the memories would always be there to offer comfort.
But there’s a problem…
About 6.8 million people in the U.S. suffer from some type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common and affects 5.4 million people, a number projected to double by 2040 according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
There are no treatments to slow or stop the progression of this dreaded disease.
THE HEAD HUNTERS
Just having type 2 diabetes or elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) increases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease – the KING of all memory thiefs.
A large, recent study published in the Neurology Journal reported that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies suggest that type 2 diabetes can give you as much as a 65% additional risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
According to Dr. Geert Jan Biessels, a neurologist and leading researcher on the relationship between diabetes and dementia, an estimated 1 in 10 cases of dementia may be attributable to diabetes.
The diabolical relationship between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease is also evident in the following:
- The same nutrition plan to prevent Alzheimer’s disease is the same nutrition plan to reverse type 2 diabetes or simply prevent type 2 diabetes in the first place.
- Every other positive lifestyle modification necessary to ward off type 2 diabetes is the same positive lifestyle modification necessary to avoid Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s safe to toss Alzheimer’s disease into the bag of problems (heart disease, cancer, obesity, etc.) that we can avoid by eating and living the way that’s best for a type 2 diabetic. Against popular belief, it’s satisfying, fun and most importantly easy to live and eat the way that’s best for a type 2 diabetic!
*If you have type 2 diabetes and are not actively taking steps to reverse your condition, you can probably look forward to kissing your memories goodbye.*
Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease are partners in crime who can literally steal your arms, legs, kidneys, eyes and even your memories if you don’t defend yourself.
Grab your armor and shield – essentially the right knowledge, and send these 2 diseases running for the hills. If you need the right knowledge then we’re happy to help! Quite frankly, there is a lot of bad information out there so we encourage you to give our site a good look-over.
TYPE 3 DIABETES – SERIOUSLY?
Yes, seriously. Most of you with type 2 diabetes know that your pancreas is an organ responsible producing insulin in your body.
About 10 years ago it was discovered that the pancreas isn’t the only organ that produces insulin. Would it surprise you to find out that your brain makes its OWN insulin? Our noggins need insulin to keep our nerve cells healthy & these cells are needed to form our memories and to preserve our memories.
The insulin receptors on the nerve cells in people with Alzheimer’s disease are removed and these nerve cells die – so do the memories they were responsible for holding onto.
The term “Type 3 diabetes” and Alzheimer’s disease started being used interchangeably around 2005.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Here are 3 easy steps to take for healthy mind
- I know you’re probably sick of hearing it by now, but exercise at least 15 min every day – this keeps the blood flowing to your brain & your mind sharp and focused.
- Drink at least 1 gallon of water every day to keep you feeling much happier and much healthier. (unless your doctor has you on a fluid restriction)
- Focus on the healthy brain foods and stay away from the rest.
- Quite possibly the healthiest brain food you can consume is high quality fish or Krill oil – this is a MUST to keep brain cells healthy, improve memory & help avoid depression among a host of other benefits.
- An easy way for a type 2 diabetic to unknowingly put themselves at risk for brain cell death is to consume too many diet beverages. If consumed in large amounts, aspartame - a popular artificial sweetener can cause brain cells to die from excess free radical damage.
This post was written by
