While not an official medical diagnosis, type 3 diabetes is a term used to describe the connection between diabetes and dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia). Thanks to the advancement in lab tests, there has been a breakthrough in detecting cognitive decline even earlier, so keep reading to understand the type 3 diabetes link better!
What is Type 3 Diabetes?
You might be wondering, “What does my blood sugar have to do with cognitive function?” That’s a great question, because insulin affects the brain more than you know! Neurons require insulin as the energy source for basic tasks, as well as memory and learning functions. In a person with type 3 diabetes, the brain stops responding to insulin, resulting in long-term insulin resistance and an insufficiency that can accelerate cognitive impairment.
It’s important to note that having diabetes doesn’t mean you’ll be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the future, as diabetes is not a direct cause of dementia. However, research does seem to agree that having diabetes (and other risk factors, including obesity and heart disease) can increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Cognitive Decline Prevention
By the time a person begins showing signs of dementia (confusion, misplacing things, memory issues, poor focus or attention, and even behavioral changes like irritability and mood swings, losing interest in hobbies, social activities, or struggling with daily tasks), the disease progression has already begun, making it more difficult to navigate. This is why early detection is critical for knowing how to prevent cognitive decline.
Our functional medicine practitioners approach type 3 diabetes and cognitive decline prevention using a multi-prong plan that can be personalized to an individual’s specific needs:
- Proactive strategies to slow disease progression: having cognitive tests done early and looking at the whole body when it comes to overall health is key.
- Protect cognitive function with simple lifestyle changes: nutrition, stress, sleep, exercise, hormone balance, and inflammation all play a role in cognitive decline.
- Promote effective, natural treatments in the early stages: by using targeted supplements and therapies, we seek to address multiple factors of brain health that directly impact cognitive impairment.
Cognitive Decline Testing
One of the best labs for dementia is the tau protein blood test. Here’s why:
- Minimally invasive
- Provides accurate results
- Supports early detection
- Contributes to personalized treatment
- Can be easily repeated to track changes
The first blood-based test of its kind, VeraBIND technology measures the tau protein in the blood, a biomarker that can detect Alzheimer’s disease up to 5 years prior to symptomology. With this one simple test, patients can be in control of their health and have more opportunities to make informed decisions about their health. This form of dementia testing complements our preventative approach to healthcare and helps patients take steps to prevent or slow the advancement of cognitive decline.
Learn more about the tau blood test and other cognitive decline tests available at Elite Personalized Medicine. We are happy to answer any questions or speak to you further about understanding type 3 diabetes and detecting dementia and Alzheimer’s early!
