How Big Sugar Helped Create “Type 3 Diabetes” and Why Alzheimer’s is Linked to Your Diet

By: JakeGTV

The concept of Alzheimer’s disease as “Type 3 diabetes” has gained traction in scientific circles, drawing attention to how insulin resistance in the brain might contribute to this neurodegenerative condition. Studies indicate that when insulin signaling is impaired in the brain, it can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, all hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease . This metabolic dysfunction is strikingly similar to what we observe in Type 2 diabetes, where insulin resistance prevents glucose from entering cells, leading to systemic issues. In the brain, this insulin resistance can disrupt glucose metabolism, effectively depriving neurons of their primary fuel and accelerating cognitive decline . By connecting these dots, researchers have framed Alzheimer’s as a form of diabetes specifically affecting the brain, hence the label “Type 3 diabetes” .

This metabolic link to Alzheimer’s aligns with a broader understanding of insulin’s role in cognitive health. When neurons become insulin-resistant, they cannot efficiently utilize glucose, leading to cellular damage and increased vulnerability to neurodegenerative processes. These metabolic challenges are compounded by the brain’s need to clear amyloid-beta, a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer’s. Insulin signaling is crucial for regulating enzymes that break down amyloid-beta, so when insulin is lacking or ineffective, amyloid plaques can accumulate unchecked . This emerging perspective on Alzheimer’s as Type 3 diabetes highlights the potential for addressing brain health through lifestyle changes that improve insulin sensitivity, a point researchers emphasize when considering preventative strategies for neurodegenerative diseases  .

The narrative around dietary fat and sugar intake, however, has been significantly shaped by historical industry interventions, particularly those by the sugar industry in the 1960s. In a series of industry-funded studies, the sugar industry sought to downplay the risks associated with sugar consumption and redirect public concern toward dietary fats. This manipulation led to dietary guidelines that recommended reduced fat intake, diverting attention from the harms of sugar and contributing to widespread misconceptions about healthy eating . The funding of these studies allowed the sugar industry to craft a narrative that sugar was harmless, while fat became the dietary villain. Consequently, this shift laid the groundwork for increased consumption of sugar-laden foods, which has since been linked to metabolic disorders that contribute to Alzheimer’s  .

The influence of the sugar industry on dietary recommendations highlights the complex interplay between corporate interests and public health policy. By funding research that blamed fat for heart disease, the sugar industry shifted the focus away from sugar’s harmful effects on metabolic health. This diversion created a permissive environment for sugar-rich diets, which researchers have now connected to insulin resistance and systemic inflammation—both significant risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases. The collusion between the sugar industry and certain research institutions showcases how public perception can be skewed by selective funding, leaving long-term impacts on public health . This historical manipulation of dietary guidelines illustrates the importance of scrutinizing the role of corporate interests in scientific research, particularly when such research shapes foundational health policies  .

By targeting fat as the primary dietary villain, food corporations could continue marketing sugar-dense products, contributing to the rise in metabolic diseases and, subsequently, the rise of conditions like Type 3 diabetes. This collusion narrative suggests that by casting fat in a negative light, the sugar industry helped divert attention from sugar’s role in fostering insulin resistance, a critical factor in Alzheimer’s pathology. Today, this influence extends beyond food corporations; the pharmaceutical industry benefits from treating these chronic conditions, rather than preventing them. This dynamic has allowed companies to shape dietary policies that benefit their financial interests, often at the expense of addressing the root causes of diseases like Alzheimer’s   .

References

• Big Think, “Alzheimer’s Is Type 3 Diabetes,” accessed October 13, 2024. Link .

• Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, “Researchers Challenge Claims That Sugar Industry Shifted Blame to Fat,” accessed October 13, 2024. Link .

• Human Rights Watch, “Child Labor and Human Rights Violations in the Mining Industry of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” accessed October 13, 2024. Link .

• MDPI, “Type 3 Diabetes and Its Role Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease,” accessed October 13, 2024. Link .