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Most of us have heard of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but you may be unfamiliar with the expression ‘type 3 diabetes’. To clarify, this shouldn’t be confused with type 3c diabetes, which is something different altogether. It is, nonetheless, linked to insulin insensitivity in the brain.
Being identified as insulin resistant commonly indicates an individual is either prediabetic or has type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, researchers have suggested that it can also cause a deficiency of glucose in the brain’s neurons, which is vital for correct function; this can give rise to indications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Even though type 3 diabetes isn’t a formally acknowledged medical ailment, in 2008 Dr Suzanne de la Monte and Dr Jack Wands of Brown University proposed that Alzheimer’s disease could be designated ‘type 3 diabetes’ due to its robust connections with insulin resistance, in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. Insulin resistance might be a primary factor in dementia, given that this glucose metabolism deficit in the brain adds to signs like memory impairment and diminished judgment and reasoning capabilities.
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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN MEDICALLY REVIEWED BYDr. Rebecca BreslowPhysician, researcher, and writer.
Dr. Rebecca Breslow is a medical professional, researcher, and author. After graduating from Yale University, she pursued her medical studies at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. For 17 years, she served as a practicing doctor in academic medicine, during which she wrote numerous publications for both academic and general audiences. Currently, her work involves independent medical writing and editing, with the aim of making medical, health, and well-being information accessible to a wide readership.
What is type 3 diabetes?
Type 3 diabetes isn’t a clinically recognised phrase and isn’t employed by doctors to make diagnoses. Yet, insulin resistance and impaired insulin signaling within the brain could contribute to the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease is noticeably greater in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Thus, the term ‘type 3 diabetes’ has been informally adopted by some experts to highlight these connections. An article in the Lancet Neurology publication associates diabetes with a deterioration in brain health and implies that treatments aimed at restoring insulin function in the brain may be therapeutically beneficial for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. William H Frey II PhD., an expert in Alzheimer’s research at the Health Partners Center for Memory and Aging, also clarifies that the disease is responsible for cognitive decline in patients. “Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that accounts for over 60% of dementia instances,” he informed Live Science. “Its hallmarks are memory impairment, predominantly concerning recent or short-term recollections, cognitive deterioration, and shifts in conduct, all of which steadily worsen over time.”
Dr Tariq Mahmood, a medical practitioner with 30 years of experience, and the medical director at Concepto Diagnostics, added: “Type 3 diabetes is not a formally recognised health problem and isn’t utilized for diagnostic purposes. It’s distinct from type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, which trigger elevated blood sugar levels owing to problems involving a hormone referred to as insulin. Some researchers theorize that insulin imbalance in the brain contributes to dementia and utilize type 3 diabetes as a descriptor for Alzheimer’s disease – a steadily progressive neurological disorder that stands out as the most prevalent origin of dementia.”
Type 3 diabetes: Symptoms and diagnosis
Mahmood explains that while ‘type 3 diabetes’ isn’t an official diagnosis, medical professionals can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, which gradually impairs various brain functions over many years. “Typically, subtle memory issues represent the initial indicator,” he mentions. “Additional, specific symptoms may involve confusion, challenges in planning, disorientation, getting disoriented, and personality variations.”
Early to moderate signs of Alzheimer’s encompass:
- Poor judgment
- Memory impairment
- Disorientation
- Restlessness/apprehension
- Challenges involving reading, writing, and numbers
- Difficulty in identifying family and friends
- Disjointed thoughts
- Deficient impulse control
These signs commonly advance to a point where patients struggle to swallow, experience a loss of bowel regulation, and eventually pass on. Regularly, individuals with Alzheimer’s succumb to aspiration pneumonia. This emerges when swallowing issues result in food or liquids entering the lungs rather than air, arising from swallowing difficulties, as indicated by the National Institute of Aging. Dr Frey informs us that a neurologist specializing in neurodegenerative memory conditions can best diagnose Alzheimer’s. “Diagnostic methods might involve obtaining a detailed medical history, conducting blood analyses, brain imaging, neuropsychological evaluations, and more, to aid in ruling out other conditions that could generate somewhat comparable symptoms,” he mentions.
What causes type 3 diabetes?
A review focusing on insulin insensitivity in Frontiers in Neuroscience implies that insulin is implicated in multiple prevalent conditions, encompassing obesity, dementia, and diabetes. The review delves into how antidiabetic medications could be employed to avert and/or address Alzheimer’s dementia, along with dealing with stress, life events, and various environmental challenges.
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Mahmood informs us that despite the uncertainty surrounding the specific cause of Alzheimer’s disease, a combination of elements may be influential. “It’s generally considered that neurological alterations linked to aging, combined with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle aspects, could be contributors,” he says. “Advanced age is the most prominent identified risk determinant for Alzheimer’s disease owing to, among other factors, atrophy within regions of the brain. Atrophy signifies the diminution of brain tissue, implying it can reduce in size, thin out, or face outright loss.”
Dr Frey clarifies that general aging isn’t the sole risk factor associated with the emergence of Alzheimer’s disease. “While aging stands as the predominant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s doesn’t represent a typical facet of aging,” he states. “A lineage of Alzheimer’s within a family, along with genetic variations, can equally elevate the risk; nonetheless, those without a family background of the condition can still contract it. A prior incident of moderate traumatic brain injury can likewise considerably heighten the probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“Ultimately, type 2 diabetes amplifies the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease twofold. This is plausibly due to a parallel deficiency in insulin signaling observed in both diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.”
He proceeds to elucidate that within Alzheimer’s disease, the insulin signaling deficit results in a reduction of energy in brain cells. In the absence of adequate insulin signaling, blood sugar isn’t assimilated into brain cells and metabolized as usual.
“Diminished energy in brain cells signifies that the brain can no longer accomplish memory and cognitive roles routinely and is likewise incapable of generating the components of brain cells required to replenish those that degrade over time, culminating in degeneration of the brain itself.”
Unhealthy habits, encompassing inadequate exercise, a subpar diet, and insufficient sleep, probably also elevate the chances of Alzheimer’s disease, he affirms.
Treatment
TREATMENT
Dr Frey’s investigations have been groundbreaking within the realm of insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s. In 2022, in a study published in Pharmaceuticals, Frey and associates examined biomarker uptake across brain regions implicated in the compromised absorption and metabolism of blood sugar within Alzheimer’s patients. Such investigations could pinpoint novel therapeutic approaches and provide insight into the efficacy of burgeoning treatments, such as intranasal insulin (insulin administered through the nose), in addressing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and additional neurodegenerative ailments.
“Given that inadequate insulin signaling contributes to the decline in brain cell energy in individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, [I] initially put forth the notion of intranasal insulin as a treatment avenue for Alzheimer’s disease roughly 22 years prior,” he recounts. “Intranasal insulin specifically focuses on and channels insulin to the brain alongside the nerves integral to smell, without impacting blood insulin or blood sugar concentrations.”
Clinical evaluations have indicated that intranasal insulin enhances energy in brain cells and betters memory in ordinarily healthy grown-ups, as well as those grappling with minor cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. Be that as it may, it mandates further refinement and assessments to adequately substantiate its safety and efficacy before it can warrant regulatory endorsement and be made accessible to patients.
Dr Mahmood conveys to us that unfortunately, there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but therapies are available for those grappling with the condition. “A few pharmaceuticals and treatment options exist that can lessen symptoms temporarily,” he mentions. “Currently, the two chief medicines are acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, aiding nerve cells in communicating, and memantine, which impedes the repercussions of excessive glutamate – a neurotransmitter discharged by nerve cells, holding a significant function in learning and memory.”
For individuals displaying tendencies toward aggression or distress, antipsychotic medications may also be prescribed. Other treatments, such as cognitive rehabilitation and cognitive stimulation therapy, have the potential to sustain memory and problem-solving capabilities.
Can you prevent type 3 diabetes?
A review featured in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease indicates that meditation could play a role in averting Alzheimer’s disease. It diminishes allostatic load, a factor linked to the emergence of various cognitive disorders. The review determined that engaging in 12 minutes of Kirtan Kriya meditation daily was observed to enhance the function of genes regulating insulin and glucose. It was equally indicated to better sleep, alleviate depression and unease, regulate inflammatory genes, and boost immune system genes.
Dr Mahmood advocates for embracing a generally wholesome lifestyle to curtail your risk, even though other risk elements fall beyond control. “Regrettably, currently, there’s no definitive approach to avert Alzheimer’s disease,” he says. “Opting for a healthy way of life might lower your susceptibility, but age-related neurological alterations and genetic predispositions prove insurmountable. Cardiovascular disease has connections with an amplified risk of Alzheimer’s disease, so consuming a balanced diet, ensuring you secure 150 minutes of exercise weekly, moderating alcohol intake, and abstaining from smoking all prove worthwhile.”
Our easy Mediterranean diet plan and 7-day plant-based diet meal plan are full of ideas to assist you in embracing a more well-rounded diet.
Dr Frey concurs that maintaining a broadly healthy lifestyle presents a judicious strategy to diminish your vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease. He additionally advises shielding your head. “Adhering to a healthy lifestyle, which entails regular physical activity, steering clear of head injuries by buckling up while in vehicles and wearing a helmet during sporting pursuits, opting for a wholesome diet, and remaining socially engaged can all assist in diminishing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” he concludes.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.
Lou MudgeHealth Writer
Lou Mudge acts as a health writer situated in Bath, United Kingdom for Future PLC. She holds an undergraduate degree in creative writing from Bath Spa University, and her work has graced platforms such as Live Science, Tom’s Guide, Fit & Well, Coach, T3, and Tech Radar, among others. Her writing consistently delves into topics concerning health and fitness, for example, air quality, gut wellness, diet and nutrition, and the implications these elements have on our lives.
She has collaborated with the University of Bath on a chemistry research endeavor and produced a brief book in collaboration with the department of education at Bath Spa University.
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