Type 3 Diabetes
- Thread starter NanLorac
- Start date
No I hadn't heard of type 3 until you mentioned it and I googled.
Link to diabetes web site
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/type3-diabetes.html
Interesting reading lets hope it's more than a small crack at finding a "cure" for Alzheimer's. I wonder if it would help vascular dementia too.
Link to diabetes web site
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/type3-diabetes.html
Interesting reading lets hope it's more than a small crack at finding a "cure" for Alzheimer's. I wonder if it would help vascular dementia too.
I think there is a big link between AD and diabetes. My mum suddenly (or so it seemed at the time) developed type2 diabetes, and at the same time developed symptoms of AD.
I've recently started her on a low GI diet, and it seems to have helped her mood swings. When I let her diet slip, her mood swings return.
I am sure there is a connection
I've recently started her on a low GI diet, and it seems to have helped her mood swings. When I let her diet slip, her mood swings return.
I am sure there is a connection
My husband was on statins for inherited cholesterol problem for about 5yrs before we found out he had diabetes. Now 12yrs later he has Dementia. He is only 11st and his blood results are very good for cholesterol and diabetes.
Marycakes, I have not had a problem with him having mood swings and I don't want to change his diet till we see the specialist. My husband had a Spect scan 5wks ago and when we go for the results I will ask about the diabetes type 3.
I found there is a link between statins and diabetes now a link between diabetes and Dementia.
Marycakes, I have not had a problem with him having mood swings and I don't want to change his diet till we see the specialist. My husband had a Spect scan 5wks ago and when we go for the results I will ask about the diabetes type 3.
I found there is a link between statins and diabetes now a link between diabetes and Dementia.
The link between diabetes and dementia certainly exists when applied to vascular dementia as this is what the consultant Psychiatrist said when diagnosing my husband with VD. However, he has always had a very low cholesterol even though he was put on statins to lower it still further some years ago. This was to do with some theory that diabetics needed to lower their cholesterol no matter what it was originally.
However, I think the link with diabetes and VD might be more to do with the complications which arise from long-term diabetes such as the Peripheral artery disease my husband has suffered from for many years. It seems logical that if blood flow is impeded in the extremities, it will also be so eventually within the brain.
Diabetes is in my husbands family but nobody else has suffered from dementia of any kind.
Both my husband's mother and aunt had diabetes and both died well into their eighties with clear minds.
Both my husband and his mother are/were insulin dependent diabetics.
However, I think the link with diabetes and VD might be more to do with the complications which arise from long-term diabetes such as the Peripheral artery disease my husband has suffered from for many years. It seems logical that if blood flow is impeded in the extremities, it will also be so eventually within the brain.
Diabetes is in my husbands family but nobody else has suffered from dementia of any kind.
Both my husband's mother and aunt had diabetes and both died well into their eighties with clear minds.
Both my husband and his mother are/were insulin dependent diabetics.
Last edited:
I happened upon this thread by chance
Mainly becuase I had never heard of type 3 diabetes
My wife had Alzheimers She died from a heart attack she was also a type 2 insulin dependent diabetic
The interesting thing is her death certificate also mentioned diabetes
when I asked about this I was told that there is a connection between diabetes and dementia
jimbo 111
Mainly becuase I had never heard of type 3 diabetes
My wife had Alzheimers She died from a heart attack she was also a type 2 insulin dependent diabetic
The interesting thing is her death certificate also mentioned diabetes
when I asked about this I was told that there is a connection between diabetes and dementia
jimbo 111
I think the death certificate would necessarily mention Diabetes, Jimbo, as your wife was suffering from it when she died - and it is a known contributory factor in many health problems - and is becoming increasingly common these days.
As to whether it contributed to the AD, I'm not so sure. As mentioned above, my husband's maternal side has a history of Diabetes but no AD, whilst my mother had AD, as did her aunt but no sign of Diabetes.
As with the theory of the link with the Herpes 1 virus, so much is conjecture and for every case that seems to prove it, there is another that contradicts it.
As to whether it contributed to the AD, I'm not so sure. As mentioned above, my husband's maternal side has a history of Diabetes but no AD, whilst my mother had AD, as did her aunt but no sign of Diabetes.
As with the theory of the link with the Herpes 1 virus, so much is conjecture and for every case that seems to prove it, there is another that contradicts it.
My husbands father had diabetes but had no problems with his memory.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4315609.stm
What I found interesting in the link above, was that the brain produces insulin as well as the pancreas. I have done a lot of searches about Diabetes and this is the first time I have seen anything about the brain producing insulin.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4315609.stm
What I found interesting in the link above, was that the brain produces insulin as well as the pancreas. I have done a lot of searches about Diabetes and this is the first time I have seen anything about the brain producing insulin.
Diabetes and AD
Hi all,
Just happened to come across this post by chance and thought I would attempt to shed some light on it!
My mum has had Alzheimer's disease for a few years now (she's 61) and I am now in my 2nd year of a PhD researching the link between diabetes and AD.
'Type 3 diabetes' is not necessarily a disease in itself, but more of a theory on the processes underlying AD. There are a lot of similarities in the breakdown of insulin/glucose signalling between the two diseases and in my work I have found some very promising results in the use of diabetes medication in treating Alzheimer's, it's so good to know that there is hope in the future for a potential treatment! My lab is currently collaborating with others in the UK to carry out clinical trials and we are all very excited about the results.
So it is thought that there is a link in the processes of the diseases, they are similar in how signalling systems are impaired. I hope this helps in some way.
I have tried to post some links to our work for those interested, but since I have not posted more than 10 posts it won't let me, sorry!
Hi all,
Just happened to come across this post by chance and thought I would attempt to shed some light on it!
My mum has had Alzheimer's disease for a few years now (she's 61) and I am now in my 2nd year of a PhD researching the link between diabetes and AD.
'Type 3 diabetes' is not necessarily a disease in itself, but more of a theory on the processes underlying AD. There are a lot of similarities in the breakdown of insulin/glucose signalling between the two diseases and in my work I have found some very promising results in the use of diabetes medication in treating Alzheimer's, it's so good to know that there is hope in the future for a potential treatment! My lab is currently collaborating with others in the UK to carry out clinical trials and we are all very excited about the results.
So it is thought that there is a link in the processes of the diseases, they are similar in how signalling systems are impaired. I hope this helps in some way.
I have tried to post some links to our work for those interested, but since I have not posted more than 10 posts it won't let me, sorry!
This is news to me as well as I’ve never heard of a type 3 diabetes, I also have mixed dementia (Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease) plus have problems with type 2 diabetes and high Cholesterol, and from what I understand from my doctor is that there could possibly be a link between diabetes and Dementia since diabetes also affects the brain which could cause problems with the heart and thus ultimately lead to some type of dementia “BUT” and again here is the ‘BUT” in dementia, my doctor also told me and I have since read on the internet that some of the medications used to keep diabetes under control can have a positive side affect with people who are also taking medication for dementia! This is what I’m finding myself as after 8 years with dementia I’m still on only 5mg of Aricept!
AdAstra, I am so pleased to know that you are doing work on this. I am convinced of the link - it seems that the main thing that helps my mum is keeping her blood sugar even - very frequent meals, and low GI food. I would be very interested to know how your work continues.
AdAstra, I am glad there is work going on into the link between Diabetes and Dementia. Please keep us updated into the research you are involved in. I am still waiting for the results of my husbands scan to find out the type of Dementia he has. I am going to ask his doctor what he knows about the link between Diabetes and Dementia.
The doctor confirmed diabetes and cholesterol are linked with Dementia as well as other things like drinking, smoking etc. As there are no other members of the family with Dementia, it could well be the reason why my husband has Alzheimer's.
We have someone coming out in a couple of weeks from Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network as my husband wants to take part in drug trials and help if he can to find a way of helping the next generation fight this disease.
We have someone coming out in a couple of weeks from Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network as my husband wants to take part in drug trials and help if he can to find a way of helping the next generation fight this disease.
My husband had Alzheimer's and suspected vascular dementia after two TIA's, but didn't have diabetes.
I have also read about type 3 diabetes and I do think it makes a lot of sense. It could explain why most dementia patients develop a sweet tooth.
I have also read about type 3 diabetes and I do think it makes a lot of sense. It could explain why most dementia patients develop a sweet tooth.
Winda, I agree it can hit anybody.
It's just as I was looking into Dementia I found out about type 3 diabetes and started a thread to see if anyone else knew about the link between Diabetes and Dementia. People with diabetes and cholesterol seem to be at a higher risk. I have been talking to people at the dementia cafe etc that I attend with my husband and it is surprising how many of the people have diabetes. Even at the centre that lots of people further on in the dementia attend, most of them are diabetic.
It's just as I was looking into Dementia I found out about type 3 diabetes and started a thread to see if anyone else knew about the link between Diabetes and Dementia. People with diabetes and cholesterol seem to be at a higher risk. I have been talking to people at the dementia cafe etc that I attend with my husband and it is surprising how many of the people have diabetes. Even at the centre that lots of people further on in the dementia attend, most of them are diabetic.
I have read that diabetic drugs have been used for people with dementia, with encouraging results, even for those who aren't diabetic. It is certainly interesting.
This thread is very interesting and good to read your input re. research AdAstra.
When I first presented to the GP re. cognition difficulties amongst other symptoms one of the things I said is it is like I have lost all homeostatic control. I have always been someone who ate at fairly regular intervals, never been diabetic, but would 'need' something sweet with an afternoon cup of tea. I also ate healthily and fortunately have never had a problem with my weight.
I have had horrendous cravings, almost insatiable at times, for sweet things, then also high protein things. This has been a shock for me as I have always eaten healthily and regularly and am aware how this lack of regulation of my eating habits has a knock on effect on my circadian rhythm (which means I have lost sense of time). It also means that I sometimes 'forget' to eat - because there is no desire there because everything has gone haywire. I haven't had glucose tolerance tests done and I will ask my GP about this to see if any problem is indicated there. I also have periods of absolutely no energy at all contrasted with times e.g. 3 or 4 days when I have much more energy and have always said there is a pattern to my symptoms.
I have never had raised cholesterol before my symptoms started and it was horrendously high last time but my GP knew trying to get me to get it down was impossible because my symtoms were so severe, I should get it checked.
There is something about coconut oil and it's effects linking in to this type 3 diabetes but unfortunatley my brain isn't up to rigorous reasearch as it once was, doesn't mean I'm not interested though
When I first presented to the GP re. cognition difficulties amongst other symptoms one of the things I said is it is like I have lost all homeostatic control. I have always been someone who ate at fairly regular intervals, never been diabetic, but would 'need' something sweet with an afternoon cup of tea. I also ate healthily and fortunately have never had a problem with my weight.
I have had horrendous cravings, almost insatiable at times, for sweet things, then also high protein things. This has been a shock for me as I have always eaten healthily and regularly and am aware how this lack of regulation of my eating habits has a knock on effect on my circadian rhythm (which means I have lost sense of time). It also means that I sometimes 'forget' to eat - because there is no desire there because everything has gone haywire. I haven't had glucose tolerance tests done and I will ask my GP about this to see if any problem is indicated there. I also have periods of absolutely no energy at all contrasted with times e.g. 3 or 4 days when I have much more energy and have always said there is a pattern to my symptoms.
I have never had raised cholesterol before my symptoms started and it was horrendously high last time but my GP knew trying to get me to get it down was impossible because my symtoms were so severe, I should get it checked.
There is something about coconut oil and it's effects linking in to this type 3 diabetes but unfortunatley my brain isn't up to rigorous reasearch as it once was, doesn't mean I'm not interested though
Type 3 diabetes - the starving brain
Hi,
I have just stumbled across this thread, diabetes 3, and as I have just been learning about this, thought I would share some of what I have read:
"A third form of diabetes called type 3 has recently been recognized. This new form of diabetes links insulin resistence with neurodegeneration and most specifically with Alzheimer's disease. Type 3 diabetes combines characteristics of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The brain has an insulin decifiency like in type 1 diabetes and is insulin resistent like in type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is the primary distinguishing feature.
[....] Insulin does a lot more than regulate blood sugar. Insulin plays a role in normal cognitive function. Dysregulation of insulin increases risk for cognitive impairment, Alzheimers and other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies confirm that diabetes leads to a significant cognitive decline and increases the risks of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by up to 150%.
All of the major neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Lewy's and ALS) display a marked decline in energy metabolism leading to cell death and loss of brain volume. Any disturbance in normal insulin function can dramatically affect energy metabilism and consequently brain function. In that sense, they might all be viewed as various manifestations of type 3 diabetes." [pages 59, 60 Stop Alzhiemer's Now: Fife]
Here is the theory:
"Medical researchers at Brown Medical School first reported on this novel third form of "brain diabetes" in 2005, after discovering that insulin and its related proteins are reduced in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. The term "type 3 diabetes" was coined by Dr Suzanne de la Monte, a neuropathologist and lead researcher of the group. [...]
Brain insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease appear to be strongly influenced by whole body insulin resistance. The details have yet to be worked out, but in a nutshell, here is the general theory. As a person develops insulin resistance, insulin levels in the blood rise. Since insulin in the brain comes primarily from the pancreas and is delivered to the brain by way of the bloodstream, you might expect brain insulin levels in the brain to rise as well. This is not the case. When insulin in the bloodstream rises, insulin levels in the brain actually fall, dipping to below normal. High blood insulin leads to low brain insulin. The primary reason for this is that insulin resistance causes the blood-brain barrier to become resistant to insulin. With less insulin getting to the brain, less glucose is able to enter the neurons and power brain cell functions. Neurons deprived of nourishment begin to starve, degenerate, and die." [Fife page 66-67]
There is a whole lot more, but obviously I cannot quote it all. Hope this helps.
I am starting to display the typical type 2 'thick around the middle' body shape, no signs of diabetes in blood tests, but it is my primary focus now to use dietary means to minimise insulin resistance.
Somewhere there is a passage about a 'starving brain' and I am currently searching for it. Mum started to crave sugar, buns, cakes - things she never even touched before. My Dad wanted 5 spoons of sugar in his tea post a big stroke. My brother had a burst aneurysm in January, he hates all things sweet, but on waking up from his op asked for jelly and icecream, and has since developed a sweet tooth, so friends bring him winegums and Mars bars - a total turnaround for him. Is his brain starving?
Interested in your experiences. All the best, BE
Disclaimer: Note these views are based on my own experience in caring for Mum who has advanced Alzheimer's. It comes from research I have undertaken as I grew increasingly desperate to find a way to stem the loss of cognitive capacity in Mum. This does not constitute medical or professional advice, and those who are interested in the insulin-dementia link should conduct their own research.
Hi,
I have just stumbled across this thread, diabetes 3, and as I have just been learning about this, thought I would share some of what I have read:
"A third form of diabetes called type 3 has recently been recognized. This new form of diabetes links insulin resistence with neurodegeneration and most specifically with Alzheimer's disease. Type 3 diabetes combines characteristics of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The brain has an insulin decifiency like in type 1 diabetes and is insulin resistent like in type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is the primary distinguishing feature.
[....] Insulin does a lot more than regulate blood sugar. Insulin plays a role in normal cognitive function. Dysregulation of insulin increases risk for cognitive impairment, Alzheimers and other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies confirm that diabetes leads to a significant cognitive decline and increases the risks of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by up to 150%.
All of the major neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Lewy's and ALS) display a marked decline in energy metabolism leading to cell death and loss of brain volume. Any disturbance in normal insulin function can dramatically affect energy metabilism and consequently brain function. In that sense, they might all be viewed as various manifestations of type 3 diabetes." [pages 59, 60 Stop Alzhiemer's Now: Fife]
Here is the theory:
"Medical researchers at Brown Medical School first reported on this novel third form of "brain diabetes" in 2005, after discovering that insulin and its related proteins are reduced in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. The term "type 3 diabetes" was coined by Dr Suzanne de la Monte, a neuropathologist and lead researcher of the group. [...]
Brain insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease appear to be strongly influenced by whole body insulin resistance. The details have yet to be worked out, but in a nutshell, here is the general theory. As a person develops insulin resistance, insulin levels in the blood rise. Since insulin in the brain comes primarily from the pancreas and is delivered to the brain by way of the bloodstream, you might expect brain insulin levels in the brain to rise as well. This is not the case. When insulin in the bloodstream rises, insulin levels in the brain actually fall, dipping to below normal. High blood insulin leads to low brain insulin. The primary reason for this is that insulin resistance causes the blood-brain barrier to become resistant to insulin. With less insulin getting to the brain, less glucose is able to enter the neurons and power brain cell functions. Neurons deprived of nourishment begin to starve, degenerate, and die." [Fife page 66-67]
There is a whole lot more, but obviously I cannot quote it all. Hope this helps.
I am starting to display the typical type 2 'thick around the middle' body shape, no signs of diabetes in blood tests, but it is my primary focus now to use dietary means to minimise insulin resistance.
Somewhere there is a passage about a 'starving brain' and I am currently searching for it. Mum started to crave sugar, buns, cakes - things she never even touched before. My Dad wanted 5 spoons of sugar in his tea post a big stroke. My brother had a burst aneurysm in January, he hates all things sweet, but on waking up from his op asked for jelly and icecream, and has since developed a sweet tooth, so friends bring him winegums and Mars bars - a total turnaround for him. Is his brain starving?
Interested in your experiences. All the best, BE
Disclaimer: Note these views are based on my own experience in caring for Mum who has advanced Alzheimer's. It comes from research I have undertaken as I grew increasingly desperate to find a way to stem the loss of cognitive capacity in Mum. This does not constitute medical or professional advice, and those who are interested in the insulin-dementia link should conduct their own research.
Last edited:
Alternative ways to fuel the brain
Hi SueJ,
From what I am reading, it is possible that the dementia brain is a starving brain (i.e. problems with insulin resistance), so an alternative 'fuel' to feed this poor starved brain is to suppliment the diet with 8 hourly doses of coconut oil. Coconut oil isn't the miracle worker, rather it is the medium chain triglicerides (a form of saturated fat that is very stable) which unlike other short or long chanin triglicerides, can cross the blood-brain barrier and nourish the brain. So not a 'cure' for dementia, but a way of staving off the destruction of brain cells/neurons as they die due to starvation.
I have tested it on Mum and found that one day on coconut oil 'unlocked' brain functions that appeared to be gone. She can now read books again, follow a DVD, and write letters, also I notice she is not leaving poo everywhere but once again able to leave it in the toilet. How could this be? How could two doses of coconut oil act so quickly? Well, it does seem that the MCT (medium chain triglycerides) are fuelling her brain. Not fixing it, as sadly those cells which have died off are gone. Hence the importance of getting started when the person is at early stages.
As there is also a link between insulin, glycaemic index, diabetes, diet and so on, obviously it is important to do one's research, and be prepared to alter one's diet.
Disclaimer: Note these views are based on my own experience in caring for Mum who has advanced Alzheimer's. This does not constitute medical or professional advice, and those who are interested in the insulin-dementia link should conduct their own research.
SueJ: hope you are having a much better day today! Hugs BE
Hi SueJ,
From what I am reading, it is possible that the dementia brain is a starving brain (i.e. problems with insulin resistance), so an alternative 'fuel' to feed this poor starved brain is to suppliment the diet with 8 hourly doses of coconut oil. Coconut oil isn't the miracle worker, rather it is the medium chain triglicerides (a form of saturated fat that is very stable) which unlike other short or long chanin triglicerides, can cross the blood-brain barrier and nourish the brain. So not a 'cure' for dementia, but a way of staving off the destruction of brain cells/neurons as they die due to starvation.
I have tested it on Mum and found that one day on coconut oil 'unlocked' brain functions that appeared to be gone. She can now read books again, follow a DVD, and write letters, also I notice she is not leaving poo everywhere but once again able to leave it in the toilet. How could this be? How could two doses of coconut oil act so quickly? Well, it does seem that the MCT (medium chain triglycerides) are fuelling her brain. Not fixing it, as sadly those cells which have died off are gone. Hence the importance of getting started when the person is at early stages.
As there is also a link between insulin, glycaemic index, diabetes, diet and so on, obviously it is important to do one's research, and be prepared to alter one's diet.
Disclaimer: Note these views are based on my own experience in caring for Mum who has advanced Alzheimer's. This does not constitute medical or professional advice, and those who are interested in the insulin-dementia link should conduct their own research.
SueJ: hope you are having a much better day today! Hugs BE
Last edited:
Hi BE
Hope you are having a good day too. The difficulty I have altering my diet is it feels like it has been radically altered for me, hence it is frightening when you feel the loss of all of your usual habits and tendencies. I am slightly improved to what I was, following, I believe a subsidence of infection in my brain. However, living alone without practical help and support it has been and still is quite an uphill battle to regain control of an out of control brain - and with paranoia and hallucinations abounding diet isn't the first thing on your mind
I couldn't/didn't see the need to change my diet before all this began as I didn't have an evident problem. Now when I am more myself, albeit with a continuing cycle of symptoms that are not so severe I can begin to try and make positive alterations but it goes hand in and with a radically changed way of being, one that in my wildest imaginations I would never have thought possible or probable.Thanks for your input and references.
Sue
xx
