We've long known about Type 1 diabetes. Most people know about Type 2 diabetes, too. But would you believe it's possible that a discovery may warrant a Type 3 diabetes? Researchers have discovered that the suppression of insulin signaling in the brain raises the possibility of a Type 3 diabetes.

Researchers have known for some time that insulin is not just produced in the pancreas, but also in the thymus. It is also known that insulin resistance, a characteristic of Type 2 diabetes, is tied to neurodegeneration. While scientists have suspected a link between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, this is the first study to provide evidence of that connection. The study identified a gene abnormality that blocks insulin signaling in the brain. A drop in insulin production in the thymus contributes to the degeneration of specific regions of the brain. These abnormalities do not correspond to Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but reflect a different and more complex disease process that originates in the CNS (central nervous system). This raises the possibility of a Type 3 diabetes.

Those who suffered from Alzheimer's disease had a deficiency of growth factor in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for memory. The absence of these growth factors causes cells in other parts of the brain to die. Reserachers found that insulin was significantly reduced in the areas of the brain responsible for reasoning, planning, speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving. Researchers conclude that there is a genuine need for comprehensive study of the neuropathological changes associated with diabetes treatment and the affects of specific medications on insulin signaling. I agree with the researchers!

Howard Hughs Medical Experts have discovered the key to a longer life is lower insulin levels. Less insulin helps cells fend off diseases that lead to early death like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. So how does one lower their insulin levels? Caloric restriction by way of eating less carbohydrates.

Caloric restriction postpones the onset of life-threatening conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It may still happen, but at a later age. Scientists manipulated genes in mice to produce 50% less insulin and saw the mice live 18% longer. While lowering insulin throughout the body can lead to a diabetic state, scientists found that allowing insulin levels to be high throughout most of the body, and lowering the insulin signaling only in the brain through genetic manipulation, extended the life of mice.

Although the mice were overweight, they lived longer and seemed active and youthful. Scientists believe that this research explains why some people who live past 100 may have a natural genetic tendency for lower insulin signaling in the brain. They eat a normal amount of calories and may even be a bit overweight, but still enjoy the benefit of life extension. This begs the question: if all diabetes oral meds multiply the effect of insulin -- doesn't this increase the chances of heart disease and cancer? New Rule: Black box warning on ALL prescription diabetes drugs!!