A recent study has revealed that high sugar intake is one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease.
The study revealed that high sugar intake might cause rapid brain cells degeneration that will lead to memory loss and later on Alzheimer's disease.
High sugar level in the blood is known to cause diabetes or obesity. However, researchers from the University of Bath revealed in the new study that high sugar intake might put a person at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. This is because neurological conditions and blood glucose level have connections, and the macrophage migratory inhibition factor (MIF) that is responsible for blocking the disease will be weak due to high glucose intake.
Professor Jean van den Elsen from the University of Bath explained the role of MIF in human's immune system. MIF is part of the immune response to resisting the proteins that are building up in the brain. High sugar intake can make MIF weak. If the activity of MIF reduced due to glycation - a process that destroys the MIF - this may be the tipping point of Alzheimer's disease to progress.
The main goal of the study is to find out if there is a molecular link between Alzheimer's disease and glucose. The researchers monitored the brain of those who have Alzheimer's disease and those who do not have it to determine if there is a high risk of developing the disease even with no diabetic history.
Rob Williams from Department of Biology and Biochemistry says that this research could help to find out how the Alzheimer's disease develops. This will lead to researchers to find treatments and preventive measures for the disease.