Introduction: A New Way of Understanding Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease has long been viewed as a condition of aging and genetics. But recent research is challenging this outdated perspective. Scientists now believe that for many individuals, Alzheimer’s may actually be a metabolic disorder—a kind of “Type 3 diabetes” where the brain becomes insulin-resistant.

This groundbreaking understanding shifts the focus from simply managing symptoms to addressing root causes, such as blood sugar imbalance, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

In this article, we’ll explore why Alzheimer’s is increasingly being linked to insulin resistance, what this means for prevention and treatment, and how functional medicine offers hope for brain health restoration.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, characterized by:

• Memory loss
• Confusion and disorientation
• Language difficulties
• Mood changes and personality shifts
• Loss of independence and functional ability

At the cellular level, Alzheimer’s is marked by the accumulation of:

• Amyloid beta plaques (sticky protein clumps outside neurons)
• Neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein inside neurons
• Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress

But the question remains—what triggers these brain changes in the first place?

The Insulin-Brain Connection

Insulin isn’t just important for blood sugar control in the body—it plays a critical role in the brain, too. It helps neurons:

• Use glucose for energy
• Form and maintain connections (synapses)
• Regulate neurotransmitter levels
• Resist oxidative damage

In a healthy brain, insulin promotes learning, memory, and neuroplasticity.

However, when the brain becomes insulin resistant, neurons can no longer respond properly. As a result, glucose metabolism slows, energy production drops, and neurons begin to starve—leading to cognitive decline.

This dysfunction has led researchers to label Alzheimer’s as Type 3 diabetes—a form of diabetes that affects the brain.‍

Scientific Evidence Linking Alzheimer’s and Insulin Resistance

Numerous studies have shown a strong association between type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s:

• People with type 2 diabetes have up to double the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
• Brain scans reveal that people with insulin resistance have reduced glucose uptake in key memory centers, especially the hippocampus.
• Post-mortem studies of Alzheimer’s brains show impaired insulin signaling pathways, even in individuals without full-blown diabetes.
• Elevated insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) can increase amyloid plaque formation and tau phosphorylation, accelerating brain degeneration.

Simply put, if the brain can’t use glucose properly due to insulin resistance, cognitive function declines—just like muscle and fat cells stop working optimally in type 2 diabetes.

Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Vicious Cycle

Insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation also fuel chronic inflammation, which worsens Alzheimer’s progression.

High blood sugar leads to:

• Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which damage neurons
• Inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha
• Oxidative stress, impairing mitochondrial energy production

These processes contribute to blood-brain barrier breakdown, increased amyloid deposition, and further insulin resistance—creating a vicious cycle that drives neurodegeneration.

Functional Medicine Perspective: Addressing the Root Causes

Functional medicine offers a systems-based, root-cause approach to Alzheimer’s prevention and support. Rather than focusing solely on plaques and tangles, we examine the broader terrain—especially metabolic dysfunction.

Key contributing factors include:

• Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
• Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Gut dysbiosis and leaky gut
• Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold)
• Nutrient deficiencies (e.g., B vitamins, omega-3s, magnesium)
• Poor sleep, chronic stress, and sedentary lifestyle

By addressing these factors, we can optimize brain energy metabolism, improve resilience, and support cognitive health—even in those already experiencing symptoms.

Strategies to Protect and Restore Brain Health

If Alzheimer’s is a form of brain diabetes, the solution lies in improving insulin sensitivity and restoring mitochondrial energy production.

Here’s how functional medicine tackles it:

1. Adopt a Low-Glycemic, Anti-Inflammatory Diet

• Emphasize non-starchy vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins
• Avoid refined sugars, processed carbs, and artificial sweeteners
• Consider ketogenic or cyclical low-carb diets to train the brain to use ketones instead of glucose for fuel
• Add cognitive-supportive nutrients: turmeric, wild blueberries, green tea, and polyphenol-rich foods

2. Move Your Body to Boost Brain Insulin Sensitivity

• Aim for 30+ minutes daily of movement: walking, resistance training, HIIT, or dance
• Exercise improves glucose uptake in both muscles and brain cells
• It also stimulates BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which protects neurons and enhances memory

3. Reduce Stress and Support Cortisol Balance

Chronic stress raises insulin and damages hippocampal neurons.

• Practice daily mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing
• Prioritize restorative sleep
• Avoid overstimulation from screens, noise, and EMFs before bedtime

4. Use Nutritional and Mitochondrial Support

Targeted supplements can help repair metabolic damage:

• Alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine: enhance mitochondrial energy
• Berberine: mimics metformin and lowers blood sugar
• Lion’s mane mushroom: promotes neurogenesis
• Magnesium L-threonate: supports synaptic plasticity
• Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA): reduces inflammation and supports cognition
• B-complex vitamins (especially B12, folate, B6): for methylation and brain detox

5. Test, Don’t Guess

Functional labs help identify:

• Fasting insulin and glucose
• Hemoglobin A1c
• Homocysteine (neuroinflammatory marker)
• Omega-3 index
• Inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6)
• Organic acids and mitochondrial health indicators

A personalized plan can then be created based on your specific biochemistry and lifestyle.

Hope for Prevention—and Even Reversal

Programs like Dr. Dale Bredesen’s ReCODE protocol have shown promising results in reversing early cognitive decline by using a multi-faceted, root-cause approach to Alzheimer’s.

His research supports what functional medicine has long practiced: that addressing insulin resistance, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies can slow or even reverse memory loss in some individuals.‍

Alzheimer’s Is Not Inevitable

The rise in Alzheimer’s parallels the rise in type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic inflammation. But it doesn’t have to be your fate.

By recognizing Alzheimer’s as “diabetes of the brain,” we unlock powerful strategies to nourish and protect the brain—years before symptoms even begin.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we help patients optimize brain function using advanced labs, personalized nutrition, and cutting-edge therapies like:

• Red light therapy (PBM)
• Hydrogen water
• PEMF therapy
• Gut repair protocols
• Targeted mitochondrial support

Conclusion: It’s Time to Rethink Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is not just about age or genes—it’s about the health of your metabolism, your brain’s access to energy, and your body’s ability to manage inflammation.

Viewing Alzheimer’s through the lens of insulin resistance opens up a world of hope, prevention, and actionable treatment.

📞 Ready to take a proactive approach to brain health?

Schedule your functional medicine consultation today and discover how we can help support memory, clarity, and cognitive vitality—at every age.

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