High-Carb Diet May Increase Risk of Dementia

If you're interested in protecting your brain health and preventing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, the research is pouring in support of a key strategy...namely, avoiding sugar and carbohydrates together, including gluten.

By Dr. Mercola
Last year, I interviewed Dr. David Perlmutter-probably the leading natural medicine neurologist in the US, from my perspective-whose NY Timesbest-selling book, Grain Brain, has brought this issue to the forefront of medicine.  He recently expanded on this topic in an interview in Alternative and Complementary Therapies, where he cites even more research showing a high-carb diet may be detrimental to your brain.

Higher Blood Sugar Levels Are Bad for Your Brain

According to recent research published in Neurology, chronically higher blood sugar levels have a profoundly negative influence on cognition, which the researchers believe is "possibly mediated by structural changes in learning-relevant brain areas."  One of the most important aspects of the study, however, was that these negative effects occurred even in people without type-2 diabetes, which suggests even if you're "healthy", keeping your blood sugar levels lower than what is typically considered "normal" is probably still best for your brain health. 

It's becoming increasingly clear that the same pathological process that leads to insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes may also hold true for your brain. As you over-indulge on sugar and grains, your brain becomes overwhelmed by the consistently high levels of insulin and eventually shuts down its insulin signaling, leading to impairments in your thinking and memory abilities and eventually causing permanent brain damage. 

Personally, I have always been a pusher/influencer of higher fats over higher carbohydrates for both my male and female clients wanting to control weight/weight-loss, and I also found that studies show higher carbohydrate diets increase dementia risk by 89 percent; diets higher in fat, the risk decreased by 44 percent. Dr. Perlmutter says: "Carbohydrate calories, which elevate blood glucose, are dramatically more detrimental to human physiology, and specifically to human health, than are the calories derived from healthful sources of fat.  The diet I recommend-high in fat and low in carbohydrates-has simply been what we have eaten for a million years, so it has a bit of a track record.  The diet people are now consuming, diets dreadfully high in carbohydrates and low in fat, as our governmental institutions are recommending, is the biggest challenge to human physiology that we have ever experienced, and this is very, very worrisome."

For the individual interested in increasing energy, weight-loss, weight maintenance, and more, a proper nutritional plan is vital for success and balance within the body.  This balance is what gives the body what it needs to be successful. 

I wanted to share this study on carbohydrates and how it relates to dementia to show how unbalanced nutritional plans can be linked to health risks.  Be safe in your diet and in your exercise; every decision counts.

Zeke Samples, IFA, CSN, CPR, IDEA

NPC Physique Competitior

Surreal Body Solutions, LLC

803.322.7649

www.SurrealBodySolutions.com 

& contributing health and exercise author

Personal Training | Nutrition | Supplements | Motivation

10 "Must-Have" Herbs that Could Save Your Life

When it comes to combating aging, the best approach is:
- Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle 
- Regular Physical Activity
- Quality Sleep 
- Packing your diet full of healthy foods

1. Prevent Cancer and Alzheimer’s: Turmeric

In India, where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of the four most-common US cancers is 10 times lower. Researchers attribute this, in part, to curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric its yellow color. Laboratory studies suggest that curcumin is effective both in protecting against cancer and in inducing the programmed death of colon cancer cells. Furthermore, population studies have shown that elderly villagers in India appear to have the lowest rate of Alzheimer's disease in the world.

2. Protect Your Skin Cells: Italian Spice

Basil, Italian spice blend’s key ingredient, is loaded with antioxidants that can protect your cells from harmful free radicals – the damaging molecules that also contribute to heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. 

3. Heal From Infections Faster: Thyme

Studies have shown that thyme can kill MSRA bacteria
extracts of thyme are used in mouthwashes to treat inflammations and in cough drops to treat throat infections.

4. Immunity Booster: Oregano

Its active agent, rosmarinic acid, clears out the free radicals that age us and contribute to disease. Additionally, oregano is also one of the strongest and most effective broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungals out there. It can help kill Candida, or yeast infection, as well as fungal nail infections.

5. Stimulate Digestive Juices: Jamaican Allspice 

Allspice has a complex peppery taste that resembles a mix of cinnamon, juniper, clove and nutmeg. 
It’s terrific for its anti-gas effects, and it aids digestion. Jamaican allspice also helps keep blood sugar under control.

6. Fight Just About Everything: Cloves

Cloves...“cinnamon on steroids!” Like cinnamon, cloves can be beneficial against muscle pains and arthritis. Of all spices, cloves received the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) Score, meaning it is the highest in antioxidants. Additionally, cloves contain eugenol, which has mild anesthetic benefits useful for toothaches, gum pain, and sore throats. Cloves also offer relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis, and eliminate intestinal parasites, fungi, and bacteria.

7. Keep Your Heart Young: Apple Pie Spice

Ginger is the key ingredient in this aromatic spice blend. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger keep your heart young and your arteries clear. Additionally, ginger helps protect against harmful bacteria and fungi. It boosts the immune system and can protect against atherosclerosis by lowering cholesterol levels and preventing the oxidation of LDL (the bad cholesterol). As an additional benefit, ginger is a potent treatment for nausea.

8. Relieve Stiffness Due to Arthritis: Cinnamon

As we age, many of us may experience muscle and joint pain due to arthritis. Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help relieve that pain. Furthermore, cinnamon’s antibiotic properties help prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease, and have been shown to kill the harmful bacteria, E.coli.

9. Improve Digestion and Sleep: Marjoram

Studies show that incorporating marjoram into your diet may activate cells that aid digestion. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try adding five drops of marjoram oil, available in health food stores, to a warm bath.

10. Fight Inflammation: Sage

This herb can help fight inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and atherosclerosis, which causes a hardenening of the arteries.

- Zeke Samples -