Research is now showing that dementia is now being called Diabetes Type 3. This is because they are finding that there is a connection between sugar, carbohydrate intake and the inflammatory process that causes dementia, as well as other serious debilitating diseases. Billions of dollars have been spent researching medications that may prevent dementia, with little results. As a matter of fact, some dementia medications actually make dementia worse. Over time, sugar has been added to our food sources, and has been causing an increase in dementia, as well as cardiovascular disease. Sugar itself is not only the problem, but certain types of carbohydrates are bad as well. I’ll talk about how this all works.
First of all, the brain and gut are connected. I’ve written about this before, and mentioned about leaky gut. Now there’s a term called leaky brain. When the gut reacts to inflammatory foods, especially sugar, it becomes permeable, and allows certain things to get into the bloodstream. These can go to the brain (and heart, but that’s another article). As a functional medicine practitioner, I’ve worked with patients to reduce their inflammation and sugar intake. The issue arises when people think they only have to eat sugar to make this happen. Simple carbohydrates that are in so many of our store-bought foods are also a culprit. Salad dressings and other condiments, breads, grains like oats and rice, are just a few.
Since 1965, the sugar industry paid to show Harvard research revealed that saturated fat, not sugar, caused cardiovascular disease. This promoted the government to allow higher levels of sugar to be included in otherwise non sweetened foods. There are documents that prove this allegation. I’ll elaborate more on this in another article on sugar and cardiovascular disease.
I don’t eat sugar, so I’m ok.
Well here’s where it gets tricky. It’s not just sugar as we know it that can lead to the complications of dementia. Simple carbohydrates and other carbohydrates can do it as well. The Food Pyramid designed by the FDA in 1992, became an icon. Today, in functional medicine, we realize that the pyramid is upside down. Eating so many carbohydrates with little fiber, and so little fats, including saturated fats is bad for our mental, gut, and cardiovascular health. It recommends eating six to eleven servings of bread per day. That is not a good recommendation. Your carbohydrate source should be from fiber related plant sources. Yams, cruciferous vegetables, and healthy fats will reduce your inflammation and blood sugar. As a matter of fact, your A1C levels are far more important to your brain health than we originally thought. It’s not just about Diabetes Type 1 or 2 anymore. It can show your propensity to dementia now.
Another culprit is bacteria. Unhealthy bacteria in the gut rely on sugar. C. Diff is one of them. There is evidence that these bad bacteria can find their way to the brain, without the gut symptoms we’re all familiar with. They thrive on sugar, and foods that are processed by the body as sugar. You don’t have to eat cakes and cookies to consume sugar. Fruits, milk, and some vegetables process as sugar as well. Potatoes are a complex carbohydrate, but once broken down, it can flood your blood with sugar. Carbohydrates that process as sugar include, bread, pasta, potatoes, some vegetables, fruit, sugar, yogurt, and milk. When consuming dairy products, try to get whole fat dairy products. The fat in the dairy is necessary for good brain function and more. When we consume things that process as sugar, the bacteria thrive on it. Healthy fats are not good for these bad bacteria to grow. Carbohydrates are. I’ve written an article on healthy fats, so go to the Sonoran News site to read my article on healthy fats.
So to summarize, healthy fats like coconut oil, avocado oil, MCT oil, the right extra virgin olive oil, macadamia nut oil, fish oil, and ghee are just to name a few. Please do not buy low fat items, as they are loaded with sugar, chemicals, and are lacking in healthy oils for our body and brain.
If you’d like a complimentary consultation on your dietary choices to prevent dementia and other diseases, please call my office for an appointment.
For any questions regarding my articles, please email me at:
[email protected]
Leisa-Marie Grgula, D.C.
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Medical Wellness Center
18261 N Pima Rd. Suite 115
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
602-493-2228
