Sugar and cholesterol levels and the risk of Alzheimer’s. “People don’t realize”

Alzheimer’s disease devastates the brain, taking away memory, thinking, and normal life. It cannot be reversed. However, the probability of the disease can be predicted at the age of about 35. The key is cholesterol and blood sugar levels, researchers at Boston University recently found. “People don’t realize it’s also a risk factor for dementia,” says the neurologist.

1. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible brain disease that gradually destroys neurons, memory, ability to think, and the ability to perform the simplest tasks. Its origins often go unnoticed
2. Boston University researchers found that low levels of “good cholesterol”, high levels of triglycerides, and high blood glucose levels from the age of 35 increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s
3. The authors conclude that early intervention to maintain proper levels of HDL, triglycerides, and glucose can lower the risk of degenerative changes in the brain
4. Scientists explain the specific links between cholesterol and blood sugar levels and the condition of the brain
5. Check your health. Just answer these questions   
6. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Alzheimer’s disease develops “in secret” and is irreversible

Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be one of the most serious health crises of the 52st century. 30 million people are already struggling with this irreversible brain disease. According to estimates, in XNUMX years there will be three times more of them.

Alzheimer’s is mostly associated with old age and memory problems, but what is it really? The patient’s neurons are gradually destroyed (the brain simply shrinks). It impairs memory, ability to think, and even the simplest tasks become more and more difficult and impossible. «It comes to the point that a person does not remember what he did before or what he did before. There is total confusion and helplessness »- says a neurologist from SCM Clinic in Krakow, Dr. Olga Milczarek. In a very advanced process of brain degeneration, the patient loses the ability to walk, eat independently, and can only lie down. The whole interview with Dr. Milczarek: In Alzheimer’s disease, the brain shrinks and disappears. Why? Explains the neurologist.

All these problems are related to the accumulation of amyloid in certain regions of the brain. This protein takes the place of nerve cells, and as a result, this area becomes weaker and less active and eventually disappears.

Further part below the video.

The damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease, unfortunately, cannot be undone and none of the medications available today will cure it (most of them work best in people in the early or moderate stages of the disease). Moreover, the onset of the disease often goes unnoticed. Hence, it is so important to determine what is conducive to the occurrence of destructive changes in the brain and, consequently, who is most at risk of them. Recently, scientists at Boston University made a discovery that could help a lot in this. The effects of their work are described in the monthly “Alzheimer’s & Dementia”.

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A discovery that will help predict the onset of Alzheimer’s

Scientists have found factors that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease that people are unaware of. Their research suggests that cholesterol and blood sugar levels help predict Alzheimer’s disease, and this can be done as early as 35 years of age. Scientists’ analyzes have shown that low HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”), high triglycerides and high blood glucose levels from the age of 35 are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

In the study, scientists analyzed the results of 4 people. When work started, the average age of participants was 932. They were examined regularly every four years until the age of 37. In these people, HDL and lipoprotein levels, blood glucose levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI). From the second study, the participants also underwent a cognitive assessment (the possible progress of cognitive decline was checked).

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After analyzing the data, researchers found a relationship between a higher risk of Alzheimer’s and low HDL levels measured in the first, second, sixth and seventh studies. Analyzes link the disease to higher triglyceride levels in the first, second, fifth, sixth, and seventh studies (regardless of medications). High blood glucose levels were significantly associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease at each stage of the study. The researchers also found no relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and BMI or blood pressure.

Why do cholesterol and blood sugar affect Alzheimer’s? Doctors explain

In a discovery article in Medical News Today, internal medicine specialist and molecular biologist Dr. Allison B. Reiss explained: “The brain needs cholesterol to produce nerve cells…. Its balance and transport in the brain are carefully controlled, and lipids are very important in its functioning ». The doctor also points to an important protein related to lipid transport, also in the brain – ApoE.

“Some HDL molecules contain ApoE, and their greatest concentration is in the brain,” he explains. Hence, “the quality and quantity of ApoE-rich HDL may partly explain its link to Alzheimer’s disease”. Dr. Xiaoling Zhang, one of the study’s authors, adds another argument. In her opinion, HDL can improve blood flow in the brain and thus reduce amyloid plaque build-up. Automatically, a lower level of “good cholesterol” will favor the accumulation of this protein. “Many people know that high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, but they do not realize that it is also a risk factor for dementia,” says neurologist Dr. Katy Bray in Medical News Today.

What about glucose? «We know that the brain uses glucose for energy, but excess glucose can cause reactions that favor damage and inflammation. Chronic neuritis can develop when glucose levels are high for an extended period of time » — Explains Dr. Reiss. Another problem is that high glucose levels release insulin (it lowers blood sugar), “and this can lead to crazy fluctuations in sugar levels in the brain, which is very damaging to nerve cells,” she adds.

The best way to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

The most important conclusion from the Boston scientists’ discovery is that taking care to maintain normal HDL, triglyceride and glucose levels from an early age can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

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«Eating less sugar and processed foods and exercising regularly is good for every organ, especially your brain and heart. Monitoring blood glucose and lipid profile, and controlling HDL levels are great preventive measures, ”concludes Dr. Allison B. Reiss, adding: him is pointless. For now, the best way to keep your HDL levels up is through exercise and physical activity ».

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However, researchers pay attention to several limitations of their work. Since their cohort was white, they say their findings may not be translated to other demographic groups. In addition, they also argue that due to design limitations, the survey results may not accurately reflect age trends. However, all this does not affect the most important conclusions drawn from their analyzes.

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