Does Insulin Resistance Increase the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease?
Insulin resistance is a characteristic of diabetes mellitus type II. Several studies point to elevated risk of Parkinson’s disease in patients suffering from diabetes.
A Game-changing Discovery
Recently, a research team in California looked into the insulin resistance within the Parkinson’s patients. These patients were not diagnosed with diabetes, pre-diabetes or metabolic disorder, so from a clinical stand point – we would assume their glucose regulation is fine.
The researcher took samples of their blood and assessed the levels of fasting blood glucose AND fasting insulin. They discovered that a significant portion of their patients had normal fasting blood glucose BUT elevated levels of insulin. This suggests insulin resistance.
At this point, the resistance is mild enough that the body is able to compensate and keep glucose within normal limits. However, if this progresses and insulin resistance worsens, the body will not be able to compensate and glucose levels will start to rise resulting in an official diagnosis of pre- or full on diabetes.
Impact on Parkinson’s Disease
Why should we care about rising insulin levels if patients are not even pre-diabetic? Well, insulin can be problematic all on its own. High levels of insulin correlate to increase in various cancer risks and are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Furthermore, chronic hyperinsulinemia levels can up-regulate inflammatory genes and decrease mitochondrial activity. Both neuro-inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction are frequently cited as causes or risk factors in development of Parkinson’s disease.
To a naturopathic doctor, such as myself, this information is critical! First of all, it means screening more pro-actively for insulin resistance with lab tests. Second, this provides a new avenue for treatment!!
Managing Glucose Metabolism and Diabetes
There are several approaches that can help manage glucose metabolism and diabetes, which include diet and lifestyle as well as herbal medicine and nutraceuticals.
Perhaps not surprisingly, this finding gives further support for the incorporation of exercise into daily practice. Exercise is a well-known insulin sensitizer and glucose regulator.
Additionally, this may explain why the Ketogenic Diet is a promising approach to treating Parkinson’s disease, since it is used in diabetes management. Trials are underway to explore the impact of current anti- diabetes medication on Parkinson’s disease.
Several agents are showing positive results and improving motor symptoms. I will explore these in the next blog post to give them due attention and research. In the meantime, considering an anti-diabetes naturopathic treatment approach would be a reasonable next step.
References
Aviles-Olmos et al. Parkinson’s disease, insulin resistance and novel agents of neuroprotection. Brain. 2013; 136: 374-384.
Tagliatti et al. Insulin resistance in non-diabetic people with Parkinson’s disease. 21st International Congress on Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders. MDS. Vancouver, Canada. June 2017 [abstract].