Alzheimer's: the New Type 3 Diabetes?

Evolution wise we are programmed to eat food that give us the highest calories. Fat and sugar served the early man well since the hunters and gatherers did not know where and when their next meal would come from. That was back then though. 

Today, we see fat and sugar everywhere - there is practically an implosion of sorts. With rising obesity in the US, due to over dependence on junk food, we have seen the costs of healthcare sky rocket. Kids, as young as 2-3 years old, are being diagnosed as obese. Add to that the morbidly obese population and the country seems to be on a precipice. 

Companies such as McDonalds and Wendy's usually get the blame, but isn't the consumer to be blamed as well for succumbing to such malpractice techniques? The low-income group gets hit the hardest with most vying for the maximum calories their dollars can buy and thus preferring a Big Mac over a bag of carrots and hummus.

We are well aware of the Type 2 diabetes epidemic we face. Now, however, there is new research that takes it a step further and has introduced a potentially new grade of diabetes - Type 3. In an experiment conducted on rats, researchers discovered that patients who have developed a resistance to insulin might be prime candidates for Type 3 diabetes or Alzheimer's. 

Insulin is a hormone naturally occurring in the body and aids in the absorption of fats and carbohydrates. Diabetes occurs due to excessive blood glucose resulting in the body's inability to either produce insulin or cause resistance in absorption.

This is an absolute shocking discovery and with the recent rise in Type 2 diabetes could spell disaster for the country. According to Ewan McNay of the University at Albany in New York, "The epidemic of type 2 diabetes, if it continues on its current trajectory, is likely to be followed by an epidemic of dementia". According to New Scientist, 35.7% of people in the US are obese, putting them at greater risk of Alzheimer's. Further, some 98m people in the US show some signs of insulin resistance, putting them at greater risk of Alzheimer's.

While further research is most certainly in need, the implications of such an accusation are too severe and drastic to ignore. Ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup and other engineered foods added in the name of adding nutrient value to the food, loading foods with sugar and fat, marketing unhealthy junk to kids and under stating impact of foods are just some of the actions that need to be immediately halted. The under regulated food industry needs to be put on a leash and the USDA seriously needs to get its act together!

The future of the country is at stake and if such research does not serve as a wake up call, what will?