People living with Type 2 diabetes are known to be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but the reasons behind this association were unclear.
New research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina reveals that increased sugar consumption and elevated blood glucose levels alone can trigger the growth of toxic proteins in the brain, a key indicator of the disease.
These toxic proteins, called amyloid plaques, build up in the brains of people with the degenerative condition. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 10 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, and a significant portion may eventually develop Alzheimer’s. Given the potential impact on the number of individuals who may subsequently develop Alzheimer’s, the new research underscores the importance of managing diabetes and addressing factors such as sugar intake and blood glucose levels….