Is Alzheimer’s Actually Type III Diabetes? What You Need to Know About the Brain–Blood Sugar Connection
The brain is an organ of blood sugar regulation—ignore this, and memory loss becomes a matter of when, not if. You can’t medicate your way out of a disease you behaved yourself into in the first place.
We’ve long considered Alzheimer’s a tragic, inevitable outcome of aging or genetics. But cutting-edge research is flipping that narrative on its head.
What if Alzheimer’s isn’t just a genetic fate—but a metabolic disease?
Alzheimer’s is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, affecting over 7 million Americans. And more experts are beginning to call it what it truly appears to be: Type III Diabetes—a term gaining traction among neurologists and metabolic health experts to describe what’s really happening inside the Alzheimer’s brain.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
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How insulin resistance affects the brain
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What symptoms to watch for (hint: they show up earlier than you think)
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What foods to avoid for cognitive health
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And holistic ways to naturally support brain resilience
Let’s take a closer look at how Alzheimer’s begins—not in old age, but in the small daily choices that shape our brain’s future.
What Is Type III Diabetes?
You’ve heard of Type I (autoimmune) and Type II (lifestyle-driven) diabetes. Now researchers are using Type III diabetes to describe insulin resistance in the brain—a key driver of neurodegeneration.
In a healthy brain, insulin helps neurons absorb glucose for energy, powers communication between brain cells, and even regulates memory and mood. But when the brain becomes resistant to insulin—often due to the same factors that cause blood sugar imbalances in the body—neurons begin to starve, misfire, and die.
This disruption shows up as:
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Brain fog
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Memory lapses
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Depression or anxiety
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Slower processing
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Loss of executive function
And eventually… Alzheimer’s.
🧠 Insulin resistance doesn’t stop at the pancreas—it impacts how your brain ages.
But the story goes even deeper…
Unlike other tissues, the brain depends almost entirely on glucose for energy — it can’t use fat as fuel. So when glucose metabolism breaks down, especially in memory-related areas like the hippocampus, neurons can’t produce enough energy to function.
Studies show that:
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Glucose uptake sharply declines in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients — even in those with the APOE4 gene
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Underlying issues like hypothyroidism, thiamine or magnesium deficiency, heavy metal toxicity, and iron overload can all block the brain’s ability to process glucose efficiently
And without enough energy, another problem begins to build...
When neurons can’t clear out excitatory neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and glutamate, these compounds begin to accumulate. While they’re essential in small amounts, studies show that too much can overstimulate the brain, triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and eventual cell death.
Alzheimer’s isn’t just about memory loss or "underactive neurons." It’s about overexcitation in an energy-starved brain.
This may also explain why conventional prescription drugs haven’t worked — they stimulate acetylcholine activity without fixing the energy deficit, which may worsen the stress on already struggling neurons.
What Causes Brain-Based Insulin Resistance?
Many of the same culprits behind Type II diabetes also affect brain health:
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Diets high in processed carbohydrates
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Chronic stress and elevated cortisol
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Sleep deprivation
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Inflammation and oxidative stress
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Exposure to environmental toxins and heavy metals
The result? A metabolic storm in the brain that can smolder for years before symptoms appear.
10 Holistic Ways to Support Brain Health & Prevent Type III Diabetes
If the brain is a metabolic organ, then prevention starts with the same foundations we use to support metabolic health.
Here are ten science-backed lifestyle strategies to protect your brain starting now:
1. Balance Blood Sugar
Eat meals that are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Aim for a whole food, low-glycemic diet. Limit sugar, refined grains, and ultra-processed foods that spike insulin (keep reading to see more info on which foods to AVOID).
2. Move Daily
Even a 20-minute walk after meals can improve insulin sensitivity and increase BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a powerful brain-healing molecule.
3. Sleep Like It’s Your Job
During deep sleep, your brain performs a nightly detox—clearing away metabolic waste like beta-amyloid plaques. Aim for 7–9 hours per night.
4. Stress Less (Really)
Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can impair memory and shrink the hippocampus. Practices like breathwork, meditation, or time in nature are essential—not optional.
Dr. Garber’s Anxiety Relief and Sleep Aid bioformulas can help calm the nervous system gently, without habit-forming side effects.
5. Nourish Your Microbiome
There’s a direct line of communication between your gut and your brain. Eat fermented foods, take probiotics, and avoid unnecessary antibiotics to maintain a healthy gut-brain axis.
6. Detox Your Daily Life
Heavy metals like aluminum and mercury have been found in higher concentrations in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Swap out conventional deodorants, cookware, and processed foods for low-tox alternatives.
Tip: Look into Castor Oil Packs and EDTA Suppositories to support your body’s natural detox pathways.
7. Eat for Cognitive Function
Add more brain-nourishing foods like:
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Wild-caught fish (for DHA)
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Leafy greens (for folate)
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Berries (for antioxidants)
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Walnuts (for omega-3s)
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Turmeric and cinnamon (for anti-inflammatory effects)
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Healthy fats like Avocado Oil and Coconut Oil
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& Stay Hydrated! Studies show that even slight dehydration can take a toll on your brain — making it harder to focus, remember things, and think clearly.
8. Watch for Emotional Symptoms
Anxiety, low mood, and fatigue can be early signs of brain insulin resistance—not just mental health issues.
Dr. Garber’s Mood Boost bioformula help restore balance on both the mental and physical level.
9. Incorporate Herbs for the Aging Brain
Certain herbs have been used for centuries to support cognition, memory, and emotional balance. Modern research backs their benefits for neuroprotection and brain performance:
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Bacopa monnieri – Enhances memory, cognitive processing, and reduces anxiety
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Ginkgo biloba – Improves blood flow to the brain and slows cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s
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Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) – Supports neuronal regeneration and increases antioxidant status
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Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) – Stimulates Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and may improve mild cognitive impairment
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Panax ginseng – Boosts mental performance and resilience to stress
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Rhodiola rosea – Improves fatigue-related cognitive dysfunction
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Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – Reduces neuroinflammation and may improve mood and memory
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Saffron (Crocus sativus) – Comparable to Donepezil (but without the side effects!) in some trials for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s
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Lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, and green tea have also demonstrated neuroprotective and calming effects in both traditional use and modern studies.
Tip: Many of these are available in teas, tinctures, or nootropic blends. Use wisely and always consult your healthcare provider, especially if you’re taking medications.
10. Creatine for Brain Energy
While best known in the fitness world, creatine is emerging as a powerful brain-supportive supplement for aging adults.
In a landmark pilot study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, participants with Alzheimer’s took 20 grams of creatine per day for 8 weeks. The results were exciting:
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Brain total creatine increased by 11% (p < .001)
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Serum creatine was elevated at 4 and 8 weeks (p < .001)
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Participants experienced cognitive improvements and enhanced brain energy metabolism
Creatine helps restore the brain’s energy balance — something that often declines long before memory issues appear.
It’s one of the most well-studied, affordable, and accessible brain support options available. If you're considering it, talk with a qualified provider to make sure it's a good fit for you.
Foods That Harm Your Brain: What to Avoid to Prevent Alzheimer’s:
What you don’t eat matters just as much as what you do. Research shows that certain foods can increase inflammation, disrupt insulin signaling, and damage brain cells—all factors that contribute to cognitive decline and the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Here are some of the top offenders to reduce or eliminate from your diet:
🚫 Refined Sugars
Table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and sugary snacks spike insulin and contribute to brain insulin resistance—also known as Type III Diabetes. In fact, a 2012 study found that adults over 70 who ate a high-carb diet—especially refined sugars—were nearly four times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. That level of risk goes far beyond typical age-related memory loss.
Regular sugar spikes = long-term memory loss.
🚫 Refined Carbohydrates
White bread, pasta, crackers, and baked goods made with refined flour break down quickly into glucose, flooding the brain with sugar and triggering inflammation.
🚫 Processed Meats
Think deli meats, hot dogs, bacon, and sausage. These often contain nitrites and preservatives linked to oxidative stress in the brain. They’re also high in AGEs (advanced glycation end-products) — harmful compounds formed during high-heat cooking that contribute to inflammation, insulin resistance, and accelerated brain aging.
🚫 Hydrogenated Oils
Canola, soybean, corn, and vegetable oils are high in omega-6 fats, which disrupt the brain’s fatty acid balance and promote neuroinflammation.
🚫 Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame and sucralose may be marketed as “healthier” than sugar, but studies suggest they may interfere with neurotransmitter function and gut-brain signaling.
🚫 Alcohol (in excess)
Heavy drinking accelerates brain shrinkage, disrupts sleep, and depletes the body of B vitamins—essential nutrients for memory and focus.
🧠 Remember: Your brain is made up of nearly 60% fat. Feed it well—or inflammation will.
Final Thoughts: A New Way to Think About Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s isn’t just a brain disease. It’s a whole-body metabolic issue—and one we may have more control over than we’ve been led to believe.
It’s never too early to take preventive action. Start by balancing your blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and supporting your body with targeted, natural remedies that address the root causes, not just the symptoms.
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Health Awareness Month. Let’s rethink memory loss, not as destiny, but as something we can prevent.
