DR. OZ: Alzheimer's: Diabetes of the Brain

DR. OZ: Alzheimer's: Diabetes of the Brain

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/alzheimers-diabetes-brain

Interesting points:

• Insulin is not only made in the pancreas, but also in the brain!
• As we know, the brain needs and metabolizes lots of glucose to function, and insulin helps it uptake that glucose into its cells. But in Alzheimer's, insulin function is impaired (insulin resistance)
• Since 1980, deaths of people with both diabetes and Alzheimer's have increased dramatically
• Visceral obesity is bad!!! LOL
• Processed foods are bad!!!

Not sure, but it seems like new treatments for diabetes have kept diabetics alive longer, and so now we see an increase in Alzheimer's in diabetic patients (especially elderly people). So would this link between diabetes and Alzheimer's be considered a coincidence???

TLRs

Before I forget, I did not get a chance to mention in class today that I thought it was interesting that TLRs can recognize and differentiate specific types of lipids. We know that TLRs recognize the LPSs found on bacterial membranes, but it is interesting that TLRs can scout out similar fatty acids from adipose tissue (secretion of fatty acids in droplet form?). AND they can differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fats. AND they can elicit different immune responses upon independent recognition.

This innate response/reaction from TLRs seems (to me) to be what could be happening when lean mice become overweight after they are exposed directly (dermatological/topical) to the waste products of obese rats.

Thoughts before bed....I am proud to say I am a nerd.
Jennifer