Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors, and the Cafeteria Diet: A Comprehensive Review.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with multifaceted risk factors, including diet and metabolic dysfunction. The rising prevalence of AD and diabetes has drawn attention to their shared pathophysiological mechanisms. The "cafeteria diet," characterized by high-fat, high-sugar, and energy-dense foods, has emerged as a significant contributor to metabolic dysfunctions, including obesity and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for both diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. This study explores the effects of the cafeteria diet on cognitive impairment, AD pathology, and its potential role in exacerbating diabetes-related neurological complications. Animal models were subjected to cafeteria diets, mimicking human dietary patterns, to investigate changes in brain structure, amyloid-beta accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and cognitive function. Additionally, metabolic profiling demonstrated the development of insulin resistance and other hallmarks of diabetes, which were closely correlated with the severity of cognitive deficits. Neuropathological analyses revealed exacerbated amyloid-beta accumulation and increased neuroinflammation, linking dietary-induced diabetes to AD pathophysiology. These findings underscore the critical role of dietary habits in modulating the risk and progression of AD, highlighting the importance of interventions targeting metabolic health to mitigate cognitive decline. This study emphasizes the need for further research to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the diet-diabetes- AD axis and develop targeted therapeutic strategies.