Did you know that the chances of developing cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s increases when an individual’s insulin levels decline? The similarities between diabetes and Alzheimer’s are so great that many researchers have been referring to Alzheimer’s as diabetes type 3. A recent study found that type 1 diabetics were 83% more likely to develop dementia as seniors than people without diabetes.
Insulin-like growth factors have also been attributed to cognitive health. These are hormones that manage the effect of growth hormones in our bodies. Growth hormone levels are prone to regular fluctuations depending on a person’s diet and activity levels. Scientists have found that a reduced input of this hormone into the brain may be responsible for dementia and other cognitive health problems. Furthermore, a link has been found between hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and developing beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, resulting in Alzheimer’s disease.