Sugar-Alzheimer’s Link

Although it must be fairly well known by now that refined sugar is a brain toxin, I still hear comments such as:  “It can’t be that bad.” Or “Sugar is in everything so I can’t avoid it.” Or "I like the taste of sugar and so does my brain." Well, yes, your brain's reward system can easily become habituated if not addicted to refined sugar. One of the down sides is the high blood-sugar spike that refined sugar can trigger in the brain. Recent studies are showing that there is likely a sugar-Alzheimer’s link; one in which too much sugar in your food intake may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s. Studies led by Dr. Omar Kassaar compared brain-tissue samples from individuals who had Alzheimer’s with brain-tissue samples from those who did not have that diagnosis. The researchers discovered that an enzyme known as MIF or macrophage migration inhibitory factor appears to fight the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain. Sugar damages MIF. It reduces some MIF functions and completely inhibits others. Some are calling sugar the ‘tipping point’ that allows Alzheimer’s to develop. More tomorrow.