Dear readers,
This week I want to share some emerging research on Alzheimer’s disease and the role nutrition can play in slowing the progression of the disease. I specialize in nutrition for mental and behavioral health issues and have expanded that to include dementia. Across the board, evidence is emerging that dietary interventions can make a significant impact.
What we know about Alzheimer’s disease
While the disease pathology is not yet completely understood, Alzheimer’s is best described as a neurodegenerative disorder that is marked by a progressive and episodic decline in memory function. We know several factors are at play in terms of pathology:
- Deposition of amyloid plaques and phosphorylated tau proteins
- Abundant neurofibrillary tangles
- Neuronal loss
- Impaired glucose metabolism in the brain
From a nutritional perspective this almost certainly also includes inflammation in the brain, hyper-insulinemia leading to insulin resistance, and heavy metal accumulation.
The case for heavy metal toxicity
This study from 2017 reported that autopsies showed “extremely high concentrations” of aluminum in the brains of patients with familial Alzheimer’s disease. It had previously been shown that aluminum was present in the brains of patients with sporadic Alzheimer’s, but this further confirms it plays a role in genetic expression of the disease. More recently, studies confirm this link.
“Three studies from the same researchers over the past 18 months have shown that aluminum contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease collocating with phosphorylated tau protein, an early initiator of Alzheimer’s disease.” Chris Woollams source
For more research on the aluminum-Alzheimer’s link go here.
You can also watch the documentary Aluminum’s Dark Side. Aluminum is used in many cosmetic products, anti-perspirants, manufacturing processes, and as an adjuvant in many popular vaccinations.
The blood sugar link
Alzheimer’s has been called type III diabetes by scientists for over a decade now. By this, they mean diabetes or insulin resistance of the brain. Let’s look at some of the data to support this. Just to clarify, DM means Diabetes mellitus, AD means Alzeheimer’s disease.
From 2008: “Currently, there is a rapid growth in the literature pointing toward insulin deficiency and insulin resistance as mediators of AD-type neurodegeneration, but this surge of new information is riddled with conflicting and unresolved concepts regarding the potential contributions of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, and obesity to AD pathogenesis… We conclude that the term “type 3 diabetes” accurately reflects the fact that AD represents a form of diabetes that selectively involves the brain and has molecular and biochemical features that overlap with both type 1 diabetes mellitus and T2DM.” source
Elevated peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with decreasing insulin secretion may forecast memory dysfunction in patients with long-term type 2 diabetes: source.
From 2017: “It is well known that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is closely related to diabetes mellitus (DM), and AD is also regarded as Type 3 diabetes (T3D). However, the exact link between AD and DM is still unclear. Recently, more and more evidence has shown that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) may be the potential link between DM and AD. In DM, GSK-3β is the crucial enzyme of glycogen synthesis, which plays a key role in regulating blood glucose. More importantly, GSK-3β is one of the key factors leading to insulin deficiency and insulin resistance, and insulin resistance is an important hallmark of the occurrence and development of DM.”
What does this have to do with inflammation and the gut biome?
To understand how diabetes and insulin resistance can drive inflammation, deposition of amyloid plaque, and destruction of the neurons in the brain please watch this excellent video. It talks about how inflammation and the gut biome play an important role in Alzheimer's. In the video the doctor states, “Insulin resistance is probably the root of dementia as well.”
So, what can nutrition offer?
Nutritionists are uniquely qualified to address the gut biome issues that lead to chronic inflammation and the dietary factors that predispose the body to insulin resistance. Orthomolecular nutritionists are also uniquely qualified to understand the nutraceutical supplements and nootropics that can assist in re-establishing a healthy microbiome and healthy metabolism.
The gut biome not only has a huge impact on inflammation, but also on appetite, satiety, mood, and metabolism. It influences our gene expression and immunity, possibly more than any other factor. Nutritionists were signalling the gut as the root of disease decades before it became popular to research this link. I and many nutritionists teach clients how to make fermented foods and beverages at home to enhance their gut biome without expensive supplements. For a list of my upcoming classes, you can go to my website here.
Additionally, many of us have been following the use of therapeutic diets for the treatment of Alzheimer’s for years. The one that shows the most promise is the ketogenic diet, for its unique ability to regulate insulin and glucose levels and downregulate inflammation in the body. I specialize in helping those with mental health issues use a ketogenic diet for improved outcomes. For a small sampling of the research that supports this, you can read the research summaries below and check out the articles they link to. It’s a very long list of accumulating data with great promise.
- Ketogenic diet in Alzheimer's disease
- The ketogenic diet as a potential treatment and prevention strategy for Alzheimer's disease
- A ketone ester diet exhibits anxiolytic and cognition-sparing properties, and lessens amyloid and tau pathologies in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
- Can ketogenic diet improve Alzheimer's disease? Association with anxiety, depression, and glutamate system
I want to thank John from Oshawa for inspiring me to dig deeper into the role of diet in Alzheimer’s and to add this to my practice. In addition to treating clients, I now have programs for caregivers of those suffering from dementia and mental health disorders. If you’re looking for help as a caregiver of a loved one or as a person trying to find help for mental health and memory issues, you can find more at hopenotdope.ca. You can find my monthly newsletter with events and articles here.
Namaste!
Nonie Nutritionista
