An article on Beef Magazine's website discusses a recent study about Alzheimer's, a disease that affects 5 million Americans and that is growing at an 89% increase. According to the study noted from Psychology Today, the best way to combat Alzheimer's is to reduce carbohydrate intake. Whether that translates to the GAPS diet, the Weston Price Foundation research, or the Rob Wolf paleo diet for you, the key is that carbohyrates (particularly refined carbohydrates) translate to sugars in the body which can contribute to a host of problems including Alzheimer's.
The article notes that "researchers now understand that insulin resistance is the driving force behind most cases of garden-variety Alzheimer’s Disease." The reason for this connection is because "brain cells in people with insulin resistance literally begin starving to death." Because of this connection, researchers are now calling insulin resistance "type 3 diabetes."
David Permlutter, MD, a leading neurologist who works for the Mayo Clinic, also wrote a blog on this topic titled: "Eating Fat, Fighting Alzheimer's." He notes the growing research that suggests we need to eat more "good fat" including another article in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease about the "Relative Intake of Macronutrients Impact Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia."
The study found that "The risk of dementia in those at the higher end of the scale, in terms of carbohydrate consumption, increased by close to 90%! Those whose calories came more from fat were found to have a reduced risk of developing dementia by around 44%."
Perlmutter recommends a diet rich in animal fats and proteins. Given all the research on the improved nutrition from grassfed protein and fats and all the potential nutritional challenges of products made from conventionally raised livestock, many consumers are making sure they choose grassfed and grass-finished proteins/fats for their health.
To learn more about where you can purchase grassfed products that are good for you and good for the land, visit our Community Map to connect with a producer near you.
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