What You Eat May Affect Your Cognitive Health

April 25,2018

Each year hundreds of long-term studies reach their conclusion. This provides medical researchers with years of collective data for comparative studies. For example, the analysis of the data from human genome research is providing a ton of new evidence as to how your family tree might influence your predisposition to a variety of illnesses. With the unprecedented growth of an aging population in America, many studies have focused on the possible link of lifestyle issues to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Although not surprising to many dietitians and endocrinologists, recent studies have concluded that a relationship exists between consumption of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates and proteins) and mental health.

The rate of cognitive decline in aging adults has been the focus of many recent dietary studies. Specifically, researchers want to know how the sugary (high carbohydrate) Western diet affects the risks of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and other forms of dementia. Although macronutrients in the human diet are foods that are required in large amounts, a balanced intake is needed for the body to maintain proper hormonal balance. Both the under and over production of insulin hormone could play a significant role in mental decline, as people who have type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance) and type 1 diabetes (lack of insulin production) reportedly have a higher risk of Alzheimer's.

Since Alzheimer's disease results from a buildup of amyloid proteins in the brain, the same insulin-degrading enzyme that breaks down amyloid proteins could be the missing piece to the puzzle. In 2016, New York University professor Melissa Schilling conducted a review of recent Alzheimer's research and theorized that type 1 diabetics, who do not produce enough insulin, may not produce enough of the enzyme. Conversely, type 2 diabetics with insulin resistance may end up with a surplus of the hormone and the enzyme is exhausted in breaking down excess insulin. Since you can control what you eat, making smarter choices while you are still young could have a positive impact your future cognitive health.

Since amyloid protein clumps do not form in the brain overnight and obesity is at near epidemic levels, it is prudent for anyone to reassess the balance of macronutrients in their diet. Remember, bad carbohydrates like processed foods, sugary drinks and baked goods, are not necessary to maintain dietary balance and are common culprits for insulin spikes as well as weight gain. If you would like to learn more about a healthy diet that supports good mental health, contact either PrimeMED location to schedule an appointment with a board certified physician.