Richard Kirchner Richard Kirchner

Alzheimer’s Disease: Could It Be “Type 3 Diabetes”? The Sugar Connection Most People Miss

Aloha!

Many people believe Alzheimer’s is simply an inevitable part of aging. fI call it the paradigm of aging. “oh, my joints hurt I’m just getting old!” or “I’m having trouble remembering things it must be age.” But a growing number of researchers are calling it “Type 3 Diabetes” — a serious form of insulin resistance that affects the brain.

The major driver? Years of eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates.

How Sugar Affects Your Brain

When you regularly consume high amounts of sugar, your body develops insulin resistance. This same resistance eventually reaches the brain. Insulin is not just for blood sugar — it plays a critical role in memory, focus, and protecting brain cells.

When brain cells stop responding well to insulin, it leads to inflammation, toxic plaque buildup (amyloid), and tangles in the brain — the classic signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

People with Type 2 diabetes have up to a 60-70% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Many experts now see the two conditions as closely related.

What You Can Do Starting Today

The encouraging news is that you can take meaningful action:

  • Drastically reduce added sugar — especially from sodas, malasadas, rice (oh NO! not the RICE!! haha) pastries, packaged snacks, and sweetened drinks.

  • Eat real, whole foods — Focus on non-starchy vegetables, quality proteins meat, chicken, fish) , healthy fats, and low-sugar fruits.

  • Brain-protective foods to eat regularly:

    • Berries (blueberries and strawberries)

    • Fatty fish or omega-3 rich foods

    • Nuts and seeds

    • Extra virgin olive oil

    • Avocados

  • Stay active — Even daily walking and light resistance exercise help improve insulin sensitivity in both your body and brain.

Small, consistent changes really do matter. I’ve seen clients experience better energy, clearer thinking, and greater peace of mind after improving their diet.

If you or a loved one are concerned about memory, brain fog, or Alzheimer’s risk, the sooner you start, the better your chances of protecting your brain health.

Have questions or want personalized guidance? Email me at HealthNow@AlohaHealthCoaching.com — I reply to every message personally.

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