#283 - Brain health explained: Insulin resistance, biomarkers, and Alzheimer’s risk | Dr. David Perlmutter & Mike Haney

Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t just a matter of age or genetics. Increasing evidence shows that metabolic health—particularly insulin resistance—plays a key role in cognitive decline.

In this episode of A Whole New Level, neurologist and bestselling author Dr. David Perlmutter joins Mike Haney to explore the links between brain health and metabolism. They discuss the role of insulin resistance and inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease, the biomarkers that can reveal risk decades before symptoms, and how lifestyle interventions can dramatically change your trajectory.

Topics include:

• Key biomarkers for assessing brain health: fasting insulin, A1C, homocysteine
• Why targeting inflammation may matter more than targeting amyloid plaques
• The promise and limitations of GLP-1 medications for dementia and Parkinson’s
• Practical steps you can take now to protect long-term cognitive function

Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Dr. David Perlmutter & Mike Haney discuss:

4:12 — Why Alzheimer’s is now called “Type 3 diabetes”

9:45 — The role of inflammation in brain health

15:22 — Biomarkers that predict dementia risk decades early

22:31 — Why mainstream Alzheimer’s drugs fall short

29:17 — GLP-1s and brain health

36:44 — Lifestyle changes vs. pharmaceuticals

44:19 — Why homocysteine matters

53:02 — Sleep, circadian rhythm, and brain resilience

1:02:38 — Early warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

1:15:07 — The hopeful message

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:
Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/MV_9nyAN1Vk

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Connect:

Dr. David Perlmutter on X: @DavidPerlmutter

David Perlmutter, MD: ⁠https://drperlmutter.com/⁠