How Sugar Harms Your Brain Health and Drives Alzheimer’s Epidemic articles.mercola/sites/articles/archive/2014/07/24/sugar-brain-function.aspx?e_cid=20140724Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20140724Z1&et_cid=DM53858&et_rid=596451992 By Dr. Mercola: Story at-a-glance • One in nine seniors over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s, and the disease is now thought to be the third leading cause of death in the US, right behind heart disease and cancer • A growing body of research suggests there’s a powerful connection between your diet and your risk of developing Alzheimers disease, via similar pathways that cause type 2 diabetes • Recent research shows that sugar and other carbohydrates can disrupt your brain function even if you’re not diabetic or have any signs of dementia • Long-term, sugar can contribute to the shrinking of your hippocampus, which is a hallmark symptom of Alzheimers disease • The researchers propose that lowering glucose levels, even if they’re within the “normal” range, may have a positive influence on cognition in older people • A growing body of research suggests theres a powerful connection between your diet and your risk of developing Alzheimers disease, via similar pathways that cause type 2 diabetes. • Contrary to popular belief, your brain does not require glucose, and actually functions better burning alternative fuels, especially ketones, which your body makes in response to digesting healthy fats. • According to some experts, such as Dr. Ron Rosedale, Alzheimers and other brain disorders may in large part be caused by the constant burning of glucose for fuel by your brain. Sugar Damages Brain Structure and Function As reported by Scientific American:4 Higher levels on both glucose measures were associated with worse memory, as well as a smaller hippocampus and compromised hippocampal structure. Sugar Lobby Threatens Organizations and Buries Science on Health Effects Newsweek5 recently ran an article revealing just how far the sugar industry will go to defend its market share: According to a new report6 from the Center for Science and Democracy... industry groups representing companies that sell sweeteners, like the Sugar Association and the Corn Refiners Association... have poured millions of dollars into countering science that indicates negative health consequences of eating their products. Dietary Guidelines for Maintaining Healthy Brain Function and Avoiding Alzheimers Disease Avoid sugar and refined fructose. Avoid gluten and casein (primarily wheat and pasteurized dairy, but not dairy fat, such as butter) Eat a nutritious diet, rich in folate, Increase consumption of all healthful fats, including animal-based omega-3. Optimize your gut flora by regularly eating fermented foods or taking a high-potency and high-quality probiotic supplement, Eat blueberries. Wild blueberries, which have high anthocyanin and antioxidant content, are known to guard against Alzheimers and other neurological diseases. Challenge your mind daily. Mental stimulation, especially learning something new, helps build up your brain, making it less susceptible to lesions associated with Alzheimers disease.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:56:21 +0000