1. CRH Increases the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Numerous studies have shown that CRH substantially increases the risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This is because CRH damages and destroys brain neurons and synapses in a number of different ways.

Since CRH causes brain neurons to become insensitive to insulin’s normal effects, insulin can no longer help sugar pass from the blood into the brain where brain neurons use it as fuel to produce energy. 

This reduction in access to sugar badly disrupts the operation of the tiny energy-producing structures within the brain cells called mitochondria.

As a result brain neurons and synapses lack the energy they need to operate normally and protect themselves from damage leaving sensitive brain circuitry exposed and vulnerable.

Over decades this slow but steady accumulation of damage dramatically increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. CRH Increases Blood Pressure

Though the kidneys aren’t themselves insulin sensitive and therefore do not require insulin for normal operation, high levels of insulin in the blood can indirectly influence kidney function. 

CRH can cause the kidneys to trigger the retention of water and salt throughout the entire body. These effects tend to increase blood pressure.  

In addition, CRH will increase an individual’s sensitivity to salt meaning they become much more sensitive to salt’s ability to increase blood pressure further.

CRH also depletes the body of nitric oxide which causes blood vessels to constrict abnormally. To add even more insult to injury CRH mildly stimulates the entire nervous system which tends to boost blood pressure even more. 

An elevated blood pressure not only increases your risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and circulatory or vascular dementia, at the same time it increases your odds of suffering a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. For all these reasons those with poorly controlled high blood pressure tend to live shorter and less healthy lives.

3. CRH Causes Damage to Capillaries

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body. Most organs, including the brain, have a dense network of these tiny vessels. 

CRH and the high blood sugar that usually accompanies it can damage these little vessels leading to tissue damage and cell death in the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes and feet.
 

4. CRH Triggers Inflammation

Most Alzheimer’s researchers believe that inflammation plays a major role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease - and many other chronic degenerative diseases as well.

CRH promotes inflammation in the brain by increasing levels of IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, F2-isoprostane, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), in short the whole range of inflammation promoting agents.    

One scientist remarked “Even a moderate increase in insulin level caused a striking increase in inflammatory markers.”

CRH increases the level of inflammation throughout the entire body through a process called Glycation. This process promotes the production of dangerous disease-promoting free radicals that cause even more inflammation.

The level of inflammation CRH causes can be detected and monitored through a simple blood test called the C-reactive protein test.
 

5. CRH Decreases the Level of Acetylcholine in the Brain

Alzheimer’s patients usually have a low level of a key brain biochemical called acetylcholine. Diabetic lab rats who have less acetylcholine in their brains are more prone to develop Alzheimer’s.

Unfortunately increasing the level of acetylcholine through the use of drugs doesn’t do much to slow the progress of the underlying disease process.

6. CRH Causes a Magnesium Deficiency

A normal level of magnesium in the blood is needed to help brain neurons protect themselves. Too much calcium entering a brain neuron can damage or destroy the entire neuron. 

The cell’s defensive system utilizes magnesium to keep the level of calcium under strict control. However, when the magnesium level falls too low, brain neurons lose their defensive shield leaving them more prone to damage.

Also, magnesium is needed by the pancreas as it’s consumed in the production of insulin. A magnesium deficiency can reduce the pancreas’s ability to effectively manage blood sugar levels.

7. CRH Increases Uric Acid level in Blood

CRH boosts the level of uric acid in the blood. Studies have found that those seniors with the highest levels of uric acid scored lowest on memory tests.

A number of drug companies are now working on a new class of drugs which will be called “uric acid blockers”. The drug industry plans to promote them for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and many other chronic diseases as well.

In addition to it’s effects on our brains, uric acid can also damage the kidneys and can inflame gout and arthritis. (Elevated uric acid levels have long been known to be a major source of painful inflammation experienced by gout sufferers.)

Excessive uric acid can also lead to kidney stones, diabetes, and substantially increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Uric acid also disrupts sex hormone levels which can cause erectile difficulties in men and loss of libido in both men and women. Since nitric oxide plays a major role in the male erection (Viagra works by increasing the level of nitric oxide in the blood) when reduced the quality of erections will inevitably suffer.
 

8. CRH Increases Damage to Dendrites in Neurons

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is the formation of tiny clumps of tangled dendrites known as neurofibrillary tangles. (NFTs)

The process that damages the dendrites and creates these abnormal tangles is called Hyperphosphorylation. This process damages the tau that keeps the dendrites in place and operating normally.

Unfortunately CRH increases hyperphosphorylation which increases the rate at which neurofibrillary tangles are created.

9. CRH Damages the Blood Brain Barrier

The brain depends on a complex defensive system called the blood brain barrier. Under normal circumstances this barrier acts like a border guard. It allows needed substances to pass through the barrier freely while at the same time it carefully stops any harmful compounds from entering the brain where they could damage vulnerable brain neurons.

Of course the blood brain barrier allows both insulin and sugar to easily pass into and out of the brain. Unfortunately CRH disrupts the normal operation of this valuable guardian. When the barrier is damaged, sugar and insulin in the blood may not be able to enter into the brain freely. With the defenses down dangerous toxins can slip in and increase neuronal damage. 

10. CRH Increases the Level of Toxic BAP in the Brain

In studies diabetic lab rats with elevated levels of insulin have been found to have increased levels of BAP in their blood. Within the brain excessive levels of BAP have been shown to increase the loss of brain neurons. Most researchers feel that this damage is the result of free radical activity which may be controlled effectively with antioxidants.

In CRH the normal BAP removal process within the brain is disrupted as CRH reduces the level of a protein called transthyretin which promotes the clearance of excessive BAP from the brain.

The presence of BAP in the spinal fluid is an indicator that the BAP removal process is not operating normally.

Insulin and Premature Aging

Not only does a high insulin level set you up for a long list of diseases, it can actually cause you to age more quickly. The rate at which you age is largely determined by how sensitive your body is to insulin. If your body responds fully to insulin you’ll age more slowly.  

But should your fasting blood sugar level climb to over 100 your aging process will shift into overdrive. Just look at any diabetic and I’m sure you’ll notice how rapidly they age.

In short, CRH fuels premature aging. The higher your blood insulin level the faster you age.

© Copyright 2011, Ariza Health Research, All rights reserved - APB