Sugar Intake Facilitates Toxic Protein Buildup Linked to Alzheimer’s
Researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine have discovered that high sugar use and raised glucose levels facilitate the accumulation of amyloid plaque which is made up of toxic proteins in the brain. In turn, that can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings have been published in JCI Insight.
Alzheimer’s and Diabetes Connection
The finding was made in an effort to explore the link between Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Diabetes has long been tied to the development of Alzheimer’s. However, the manner in which the two diseases are linked is not known.
“We wanted a better understanding of the metabolic changes in diabetes that puts the brain at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or accelerates the pathology already forming in the brain of individuals who will go on to an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis,” said Shannon Macauley, Ph.D, principal study investigator.
Too Much Sugar
The study centered on adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels or KATP channels.
ATP is an energy source necessary for the development and survival of cells. In diabetes, KATP senses change in pancreatic cells influencing the secretion of insulin. In the brain, KATP channels regulate cell function. Disrupting that regulation alters how the brain works.
“This finding is significant because it demonstrates that consuming too much sugar is enough to cause amyloid plaque proliferation and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Macauley said.
How Sweet it is
Sugar is found in all foods that contain carbohydrates. That includes grains, fruits, and vegetables.
In whole foods, sugar provides a steady supply of energy to cells because it is digested slowly. In short, naturally occurring sugar is good for you. Consequently, a high intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes.
When Sweetness Goes Sour
Added sugars are used to increase flavor and extend the shelf life of processed foods. As a result, we are consuming too much.
You know the usual suspects – soft drinks, fruit juices, cereals, cookies, candy, and flavored yogurt. However, added sugar can also be lurking in foods such as bread, soups, cured meat, and condiments among others.
In addition to robbing your health, added sugar is taking money out of your pocket and hurting the economy.
A 2013 report by Credit Suisse, determined that between 30 and 40 percent of healthcare expenditures in the United States were related to excess consumption of sugar.
Beating Your Sugar Habit
The good news is that you do not have to eliminate sugar entirely. Limiting added sugar to 10 percent of the calories you consume daily can improve your health, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
You can spot added sugars by reading labels when you shop. In addition, you can plan meals that reduce added sugars.
To transition to healthier meals, the American Institute for Cancer Research provides a plan entitled The American Plate. In addition to nutritional information, it includes recipes and a free 10-week course.
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