Cognitive impairment
whuffman1
Posts: 18 Member
What is the relationship between T2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment?
1
Replies
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There is a link. Those with T2D are more likely to get it than metabolically healthy people. It's not a sure thing though. Many without T2D experience it too..
I think the main link is with high insulin - insulin resistance. If the brain has developed IR, now often called type 3 diabetes, then the brain can't take up the glucose it needs. It won't function as well without fuel. Eventually there will be cellular death.
If one switches to a lower carb diet, and has ketones for the brain to use for fuel, that situation can be remedied and cognitive decline can often be slowed significantly. Possibly even arrested.
The key there is to use diet as a preventative measure. T3D cognitive decline can start midlife. Switching diet to low carb, possibly ketogenic, or adding MCT's or keto salts/esthers, seems to prevent decline.
Cognitive decline is very very slow in people with low insulin levels compared to those with raised insulin.
I was actually quick shocked that I had a cognitive improvement about a month after I switched to a very low carb diet. (I was perdiabetic and about 30 lbs overweight.) I knew I wasn't quite as sharp as I was 20 years ago, but my improvement was very noticeable to me... and my husband. Scary. And I was only 41 when I made the switch.
Great books on the subject are Alzheiumer's Antidote by Berger, and Alzheimer's: What if there was a Cure? by Newport.
http://www.tuitnutrition.com/p/alzheimers_13.html
https://coconutketones.com/
Sorry. I went on and on. It's an area of interest of mine due to the unexpected changes that I noticed.5 -
There is a link. Those with T2D are more likely to get it than metabolically healthy people. It's not a sure thing though. Many without T2D experience it too..
I think the main link is with high insulin - insulin resistance. If the brain has developed IR, now often called type 3 diabetes, then the brain can't take up the glucose it needs. It won't function as well without fuel. Eventually there will be cellular death.
If one switches to a lower carb diet, and has ketones for the brain to use for fuel, that situation can be remedied and cognitive decline can often be slowed significantly. Possibly even arrested.
The key there is to use diet as a preventative measure. T3D cognitive decline can start midlife. Switching diet to low carb, possibly ketogenic, or adding MCT's or keto salts/esthers, seems to prevent decline.
Cognitive decline is very very slow in people with low insulin levels compared to those with raised insulin.
I was actually quick shocked that I had a cognitive improvement about a month after I switched to a very low carb diet. (I was perdiabetic and about 30 lbs overweight.) I knew I wasn't quite as sharp as I was 20 years ago, but my improvement was very noticeable to me... and my husband. Scary. And I was only 41 when I made the switch.
Great books on the subject are Alzheiumer's Antidote by Berger, and Alzheimer's: What if there was a Cure? by Newport.
http://www.tuitnutrition.com/p/alzheimers_13.html
https://coconutketones.com/
Sorry. I went on and on. It's an area of interest of mine due to the unexpected changes that I noticed.
Wow! That's quite a testimonial!
Great info, thx.2 -
I went to a neuropsychologist and took 6 hours of cognitive testing and was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Its terrifying and family has noticed the decline.1
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I went to a neuropsychologist and took 6 hours of cognitive testing and was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Its terrifying and family has noticed the decline.
@whuffman1, I can imagine you're terrified.
I'm going to have to think about doing the same thing...
Kudos to you for taking the bull by the horns.
Here are a couple links related to Mary Newport (whom @nvmomketo mentioned).
Dr. Newport's captivating lecture on the revival of some aspects of her husband's cognitive abilities after starting him on coconut oil (an idea stimulated by federal MCT therapy trials):
https://youtu.be/feyydeMFWy4
Website:
http://www.coconutketones.com/
Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Disease-There-Story-Ketones/dp/15912029301 -
I have multiple sclerosis causing cognitive impairment. On a ketogenic diet I am soooo much better. Less fog, less trouble thinking. I work full time with my brain so this is a life saver. I hope you find something that works for you.2
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I went to a neuropsychologist and took 6 hours of cognitive testing and was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Its terrifying and family has noticed the decline.
I would look into a ketogenic diet. It can't hurt.
MCT's (medium chain triglycerides) is an oil you can buy at health food stores. I would cook with that and add coconut oil too. It can cause loose stool though so it is best to start slowly - a tablespoon per day at first and then add more every week or so.
Ketone salts or esthers can help too. Keto/OS is a ketone salt you can make drinks with. It's an easy way to raise ketones.
High insulin will lower ketones made in the body. Sugars and carbohydrates will raise insulin. The worst for raising insulin are refined sugars, sugar and juice drinks, and foods made with flours. Tropical fruits, grapes and dried fruits like raisins are also insulin raising.
If you avoid or limit insulin raising foods (foods from plants - not from animals) you will lower insulin.
This is a good article on consuming coconut oil to help:
http://coconutketones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/whatifcure.pdf
If you change your diet, exercise (walking) will help, you may be able to stop or reverse some of this. It could help.
I wish you luck. This is a scary thing to face.3 -
I have multiple sclerosis causing cognitive impairment. On a ketogenic diet I am soooo much better. Less fog, less trouble thinking. I work full time with my brain so this is a life saver. I hope you find something that works for you.
Congrats on your success so far!
Did you follow Wahl's Protocol? http://terrywahls.com/3 -
I have multiple sclerosis causing cognitive impairment. On a ketogenic diet I am soooo much better. Less fog, less trouble thinking. I work full time with my brain so this is a life saver. I hope you find something that works for you.
Congrats on your success so far!
Did you follow Wahl's Protocol? http://terrywahls.com/
I didn't. I started with reddit and ketogenic groups. I have a hard time trying to stay focused and go off the band wagon every six months and feel awful again. My husband is very picky with food so it gets so boring sticking with the same thing. Every summer it's such a struggle, then in the fall I start getting sedentary and need it because I feel awful.
I basically began with adkins induction phase.0 -
I have multiple sclerosis causing cognitive impairment. On a ketogenic diet I am soooo much better. Less fog, less trouble thinking. I work full time with my brain so this is a life saver. I hope you find something that works for you.
Congrats on your success so far!
Did you follow Wahl's Protocol? http://terrywahls.com/
I didn't. I started with reddit and ketogenic groups. I have a hard time trying to stay focused and go off the band wagon every six months and feel awful again. My husband is very picky with food so it gets so boring sticking with the same thing. Every summer it's such a struggle, then in the fall I start getting sedentary and need it because I feel awful.
I basically began with adkins induction phase.
How are you doing now?
Speaking of the Wahls Protocol, I recently got a copy of the Wahls Protocol Cookbook. It's got a lot of great ideas and is a beautiful book to boot.
FYI, from the publisher's blurb:
"Dr. Wahls is sharing the essential Paleo-inspired recipes her readers need to reduce and often eliminate their chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms related to autoimmune problems, neurological diseases, and other chronic conditions, even when physicians have been unable to make a specific diagnosis. Packed with easy-to-prepare meals based on Dr. Wahls’s pioneering therapeutic lifestyle clinic and her clinical research, in a simple format readers can customize to their own needs and preferences, this cookbook features breakfasts, smoothies, skillet meals, soups, wraps, salads, and snacks that are inexpensive to prepare, nourishing, and delicious."1 -
I have multiple sclerosis causing cognitive impairment. On a ketogenic diet I am soooo much better. Less fog, less trouble thinking. I work full time with my brain so this is a life saver. I hope you find something that works for you.
Congrats on your success so far!
Did you follow Wahl's Protocol? http://terrywahls.com/
I didn't. I started with reddit and ketogenic groups. I have a hard time trying to stay focused and go off the band wagon every six months and feel awful again. My husband is very picky with food so it gets so boring sticking with the same thing. Every summer it's such a struggle, then in the fall I start getting sedentary and need it because I feel awful.
I basically began with adkins induction phase.
I tend to fall off the wagon a bit once or twice a year too. I feel better and think I don't need my "medicine" as much. LOL0
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