Born Smart

Only a few years ago it was assumed that the brain was “insulin insensitive” because glucose can be taken up in brain cells, without the involvement of insulin or insulin receptors. However studies in recent years have shown that insulin plays a significant role in the brain.

The latest finding in animal studies, “A Diet High In Fructose Impairs Memory”. There is mounting evidence that insulin levels and function in the brain is vital to learning and memory. Also explaining the link between diabetes, Alzheimer’s and impaired cognition.

Research shows that levels of brain insulin and its related receptors are disrupted in people that suffer from Diabetes, and in people suffering from Alzheimer they found diminished insulin receptor signaling. Scientists found that disruption of insulin signaling with receptors leads to loss of synapses functioning, vital for connectivity between brain cells.

A landmark study in June 2008 on tadpoles found that Insulin receptors in the brain regulate the maintenance of synapses, contributes to the processing of sensory information and is involved in adjusting the plasticity
of brain circuits.
Two remarkable facts came from this study ;

The insulin receptor correlates with the
density of the synapses (neuron to neuron connections) in brain circuits. Synaptic density is maintained by the insulin receptors and when the receptors are dysfunctional the synaptic density decreased.
Insulin receptor signaling regulate the formation and function of brain circuits in
response to experience or learning.
And they just keep rolling in, a study in June this year headlined “Brains Plasticity Changes And Resets In Homeostasis”.

What does this mean for your baby?

Your brain use more glucose than any other organ in your body, and during pregnancy your baby’s brain needs a constant supply of glucose to develop. However whilst keeping up this flow of glucose to your baby, you need to stick to low GI carbohydrates to make sure you do not elevate insulin levels. Make each one count, keep it as nutritious as you possibly can.

Don’t eat for your body, eat for your baby’s brain, the knock on effect will have a better outcome for both you and your baby, physically and mentally.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716113247.htm

http://www.cshl.edu/public/releases/08_insulin_receptor.html