Insulin sensitivity is key to long-term mental health
One of the major manifestations of obesity is poor sensitivity (or responsiveness) to the hormone insulin. It's this insulin sensitivity issue that drives the "brain fog" that I see so frequently in patients that come to see me. This recent study confirms this fact and should motivate people to manage insulin better so they can enjoy the rewards of clear thinking.
Insulin should be thought of as a fat-storing, brain-fogging hormone. A necessary hormone for life, it's role was best demonstrated when we were hunters and gatherers by allowing the storage of energy (as fat) so that we did not starve when we went 3-5 days between meals. The problem is that in a society where calories are excessive and everywhere, we never use the energy stores and continue to drive insulin up every single day.
Avoiding processed foods (any food in a package) and refined sugars (drink unsweetened tea and water) by making sure that your diet's main focus is: vegetables, fruit, beans/lentils, raw nuts and non-breaded fish/meat will ensure that your insulin levels remain relatively low. This keeps your insulin sensitivity more balanced in a way that the brain fog and fat storage mode stay at a minimum.
Study: Insulin Sensitivity May Explain Link Between Obesity, Memory Problems
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Dr. Jeffrey Gladd
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Dr. Jeffrey Gladd graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 2001. He then went on to train in family medicine...
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