We Just Got More Evidence For The Strange Link Between Sugar And Alzheimer’s

People with high blood sugar stand to experience worse long-term cognitive decline than their healthy peers, even if they’re not technically type 2 diabetic, new research suggests.

The findings are not the first linking diabetes with impaired cognitive functions, but they’re some of the clearest yet showing blood sugar isn’t just a marker of our dietary health – it’s also a telling predictor of how our brains may cope as we get older.

“Our findings suggest that interventions that delay diabetes onset, as well as management strategies for blood sugar control, might help alleviate the progression of subsequent cognitive decline over the long-term,” explain the researchers, led by epidemiologist Wuxiang Xie from Imperial College London.

The researchers sourced their data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, an ongoing assessment of the health of a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and older, which began in in 2002.

For its analysis, the team tracked 5,189 participants – 55 percent women, with an average age of 66 years – assessing their level of cognitive function between 2004-2005 to 2014-2015, spanning several waves of the ELSA study.

In addition, the researchers monitored participants’ levels of HbA1c, aka glycated haemoglobin, a measure of blood sugar control over time.

While all of the participants showed some level of cognitive decline over the course of the assessment due to simply getting older, the researchers found those with greater levels of HbA1c experienced a steepened rate of decline, tracked by tests measuring their cognitive, memory, and executive function abilities.

Other studies have previously shown this kind of link between diabetes and the cognitive decline seen in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease – but never before by using HbA1c.

Interestingly, though, the new findings go beyond just re-establishing the link between diabetes and cognitive decline – because the HbA1c trend was observed in participants regardless of whether or not they were technically diabetic.

Healthy people’s HbA1c levels are lower than 42 millimoles per mole (mmol/mol, or below 6 percent), while diabetic people show readings of 48 mmol/mol or above (6.5 percent or above).

In the middle, people with the precursor condition prediabetes (high blood sugar, but not considered diabetic) have readings between 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6 to 6.4 percent).

What the researchers found is that the associated rate of cognitive decline isn’t limited to just those who are diabetic, but to higher HbA1c counts generally.

“Our findings show a linear correlation between circulating HbA1c levels and cognitive decline, regardless of diabetic status,” the researchers explain.

It’s a bit too early to know what the dietary implications are for people concerned about their blood sugar levels – suffice to say it’s another compelling reason why we should all be watching what we eat so as to prevent developing type 2 diabetes– although even if you do, some clever choices could help you reverse that diagnosis.

“One strength of this large study is that it followed people over time to show a faster decline in memory and thinking in those with poorer blood sugar control,” says Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Chief Scientific Officer, David Reynolds.

“But it does not shed any light on the potential mechanisms underlying this decline.”

While researchers continue to explore what those mechanisms could be, it’s becoming clearer that none of us, diabetic or otherwise, should assume diets high in sugar are necessarily harmless to both body and mind.

“Just because you don’t have type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean you can eat whatever carbs you want,” epidemiologist Rosebud Roberts from the Mayo Clinic, who wasn’t involved in the study, told The Atlantic.

“Especially if you’re not active. [What we eat is] a big factor in maintaining control of our destiny.”

The findings are reported in Diabetologia.

Nine Things That Can Affect Whether you Get Dementia – and What You Can do About Them

Dementia is by no means an inevitable result of ageing. In fact, one in three dementia cases can be prevented, according to new findings published in The Lancet.

For the report – the first for The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care – my colleagues and I analysed a number of studies and developed a model showing how lifestyle changes, at different ages, can reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia.

We considered potentially reversible risk factors from different life stages – not just old age. Based on this, we propose a new model to demonstrate the possible impact of eliminating these risk factors across the lifespan.

We have detailed the compelling international evidence for nine lifestyle factors that may reduce, or increase, an individual’s risk of developing dementia. These are more childhood education, exercise, being socially active, stopping smoking, managing hearing loss, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Each of these factors could help prevent or delay dementia.

Our message is: be ambitious about prevention; put these into practice. It’s never too early to start education – and never too late to check your blood pressure and stop smoking. Get your blood pressure checked if you are 45 or over and keep it under control. Ask your family if they think your hearing is a problem and, if so, seek medical help. Be physically, mentally and socially active and watch your weight and blood sugar.

Nine factors that play a role in dementia. Credit: Keck Medicine of USC

The greatest healthcare challenge

Dementia is the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century – and the greatest fear of most people. People are living longer, and dementia is mainly a disease of old age, which means that rates are going up. About 47m people around the world are living with dementia. That figure is expected to rise to 115m by 2050.

In some countries, such as the UK, US, Sweden and the Netherlands, dementia is already being delayed for years in those with more education, so the proportion of older people living with it has decreased, although more people have dementia, simply because there are more old people. In many other countries, the proportion of older people living with dementia has increased.

The 2015 global cost of dementia was estimated to be US$818 billion (£630 billion) and this will continue to increase as the numbers of people with dementia rise. Nearly 85% of costs are related to family and social – rather than medical – care. It may be that future new medical care, including public health measures, may reduce some of this cost.

It’s about doing something now

Giving people information about what to do to prevent dementia is an essential first step, but it is not enough. There is a responsibility, not just as professionals but as a society, to implement this evidence into interventions that are widely and effectively used for people with dementia and their families. So our recommendations need public health as well as individual effort. Interventions have to be accessible, sustainable and, if possible, enjoyable or they won’t be used.

Of course, not everyone will be able to make changes, some changes will not make a difference and some dementia risk is genetic (about 7% of cases) and not currently modifiable. Nonetheless these interventions should delay dementia for some years for many people and this would be an enormous achievement and enable many more people to reach the end of their life without developing dementia.

Effective dementia prevention could transform the future for society. Acting now on what we already know can make this difference happen.

Does It Really Matter What Kind Of Eggs You Buy?

When it comes to eggs, there are so many options to choose from, and that can make navigating the dairy aisle a bit challenging. Between the different colors, sizes, and labels, you might be left scratching your head at the grocery store.

Don’t let this misunderstanding stop you from whipping up some eggs, as they’re loaded with benefits “All eggs are a good source of protein and vitamin D, have brain-healthy choline, some lutein for healthy eyes, and are naturally gluten-free,” says Maggie Moon, R.D.N., and author of The MIND Diet.

However, conventional eggs don’t give you a ton of extra perks beyond the basic nutritional benefits of eggs. “These eggs come from hens living in cages where they are fed food and water,” says Moon. (Oh, the ambiguity.)

If you’re worried about what’s going in your body, you might want to take a step or two up and purchase eggs with labels offering more distinctions and reassurance. “Nutritionally speaking, what the hen eats impacts the nutrition you get out of the egg,” Moon says. “There are also environmental and animal welfare issues. Depending on what’s important to you, there’s probably an egg out there for you,” she adds.

Out of all the many egg varieties, Moon recommends organic eggs. They offer a bit more protection when it comes to health, as they’ve needed to be regulated by USDA organic standards, says Moon.

“Namely, they come from hens raised on certified organic feed, are cage-free, and free-roaming,” says Moon. Getting that access to organic food can guarantee a safer egg, and the access to move around, without being contained in a cage, makes for a more humane and happier lifestyle for the chicken. What’s more, “antibiotics and growth hormones are never used,” says Moon, so you can be certain there won’t be any whacky additives.

Study: Eating Leafy Greens May Help Prevent Dementia

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Love it or hate it, most people know kale is good for you, but there’s now new evidence that it may have benefits for your mind.
Popeye might have had it right all along. Spinach, kale, lettuce – these leafy greens may not taste as good as holiday treats but new research suggests they may help prevent dementia.

A new study in the Journal Neurology found that people who eat just one or two servings of these leafy greens a day tend to have slower rates of memory loss.

The nutrients in these vegetables slow cognitive decline and may help protect your brain from the effects of aging.
Researchers said the effect seen in the study was statistically similar to being 11 years younger.

Sorry, Peanut Butter Fans, but Your Favorite Nut Isn’t as Healthy as You Think

We’ve been told since we were little kids that peanuts are a good source of protein and healthy fat and that they make a very smart afternoon snack. Whether it’s a peanut butter and jam sandwich or sliced apple dipped in peanut butter, we’re convinced that we’re doing our bodies good by consuming the trusty peanut.

You might want to leave behind everything you know about peanuts, though. Dr. Frank Lipman, physician and renowned expert in the field of integrative medicine, told POPSUGAR, “Peanuts, despite the name, are actually not a nut but a legume!” That distinction matters when it comes to our health, and here’s how.

“Legumes naturally contain phytic acid and lectins, both of which can weak havoc on gut health,” Dr. Lipman said. “Digestive upset could show up symptomatically as issues with bowel movements, gas, and bloating, or in more severe cases, things like brain fog, anxiety, or depression, given the gut’s impact on neurotransmitters in the brain.”

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It’s simply harder for the gut to break down phytic acid and lectins, so your body has to work much harder to process peanuts. Dr. Lipman explained that this kind of stress on your digestion could negatively impact your body’s immune system. He also pointed out that “90 percent of serotonin is produced in the gut,” and serotonin is the feel-good chemical in your brain that promotes good moods, sleep, and a healthy appetite. So if your gut is out of whack, your serotonin production will become imbalanced.

Dr. Lipman actually leaves peanuts out of the diets he creates with his clients. At the very least this will allow them to figure out whether there is a beneficial shift in their overall health. Additionally, anyone who suffers from “major gut-related issues, such as autoimmune conditions” is highly encouraged to steer clear of peanuts entirely.

If you have any digestive issues whatsoever and you’re a big peanut eater, it might be a good idea to eliminate peanuts from your diet for a while. If you suffer from strange mood swings or cravings or you have trouble sleeping, you could benefit from cleaning up your diet by nixing peanuts.

If your heart sinks when you simply think about life without peanut butter, know that there are great alternatives. “There are so many other actual nuts and seeds that are good sources of healthy fat and fibre in the diet,” Dr. Lipman said. “There are many different versions of nut butters now, so you can easily make a healthy and delicious swap instead of peanut butter.”

Whatever nuts and seeds you do choose to eat, Dr. Lipman recommends you consume them in raw or dry-roasted form, free of salt, sugar, and processed oils. If you still have trouble digesting them, “they can be soaked to help the body digest them more efficiently.”

Sorry Vegetarians — Eating Meat Is Good for You, Study Suggests

Meat-eaters, rejoice! In the battle of Eating Meat vs. Vegetarian, meat reigns supreme. To be clear, we take zero issue with vegetarians. It’s just meat-eaters definitely get a bad rap and well, it stinks. Sometimes you just want to eat a bacon cheeseburger in peace without feeling like you’re making some sort of grandiose political statement. It’s not that complicated, people. Omnivores were the best dinosaurs and as it turns out, the same applies to humans.

A new study from the Medical University of Graz in Austria discovered that low intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, as a result of a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, seemed to carry a higher risk of cancer, allergies and mental health problems. As per to LadBible:

“Researchers matched 1320 subjects according to their age, sex, and socioeconomic status. These included 330 vegetarians, 330 who ate meat but still consumed a lot of fruit and veg, 300 regular eaters who ate less meat, and 330 heavy meat-eaters.

“Results indicated that despite the vegetarians drinking less alcohol and having lower BMI, they were still in worse physical and mental condition than their meat-eating counterparts. Subjects who ate less meat were also found to have adverse health habits, such as avoiding going to the doctors.”

Of course, more research needs to be conducted in order to yield conclusive results, but in the meantime, we’re going to enjoy our Chick-fil-A! We think the most interesting observation from this research is that vegetarians avoid going to the doctor. You’d think “health-conscious” people would be more likely to seek medical treatment, no?

We’re not suggesting you down a porterhouse steak for dinner every night, but the next time a vegetarian goes on a rant about “how that burger is going to kill you,” you might want to whip out the information you learned today.