✅ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS POST
Gut health and brain health are more connected than most people realize. In this post, we explore how fiber supports cognitive function, metabolic balance, and the gut-brain axis—key factors in long-term brain health. You’ll also learn why Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes called “Type 3 diabetes,” and how everyday fiber intake may help protect the brain over time.
🌿 In This Post, We’ll Explore:
- The science behind the gut-brain connection
- What “Type 3 Diabetes” means in relation to Alzheimer’s disease
- How fiber supports brain health through blood sugar balance and microbiome support
- The connection between daily fiber intake and long-term cognitive support
Why just better.® prebiotic fiber fits into this picture
Gut Health and Alzheimer’s Disease:
Insights on Fiber and Metabolic Support
Can Gut Health Help Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease?
What the Research Says About Fiber, Brain Health, and Metabolic Support
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month—a time to highlight one of the most important questions we can ask about our long-term health: How do we protect our brain as we age?
It turns out, the answer may start in a (not so 😉) surprising place: the gut.
Our founder, Kristin Hirano, MS, RD, CN, CD, always says, "All Health Begins in the Gut!"
This perspective reflects a growing body of research examining the relationship between fiber and brain health, as well as how the gut microbiome may impact cognitive function over time.
We’ve known for a while that the gut and brain are closely connected. Recent research is showing just how deeply they influence one another. In fact, what happens in the gut can shape how we think, feel, focus, and even our vulnerability to cognitive decline later in life.
Let’s take a closer look at the link between gut health, Alzheimer’s disease, and a concept gaining traction in the medical world: Type 3 diabetes—a term that connects metabolic dysfunction to neurodegenerative disease.
🧠 The Gut-Brain Connection Is Real
The gut is often referred to as the “second brain” for good reason. It’s home to a vast network of neurons and trillions of bacteria that produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—chemicals that influence everything from mood to memory.
But that’s just the beginning.
When the gut microbiome is in balance, it produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—like butyrate—that help reduce inflammation, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and support healthy communication between the gut and brain. This ongoing exchange is what researchers refer to as the gut-brain axis.
When this system is disrupted through poor diet, chronic stress, illness, or ultra-processed foods—it can lead to a cascade of effects that influence not only digestion but also cognitive health.
🔄 Alzheimer’s Disease, Inflammation, and Blood Sugar
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex condition, but two things are consistently present: chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
People with insulin resistance—particularly those with Type 2 diabetes—are at a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. In fact, researchers are now using the term “Type 3 diabetes” to describe Alzheimer’s as a form of insulin resistance in the brain. Here’s what that means:
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The brain depends on insulin to help neurons absorb glucose (its main fuel source).
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When insulin signaling breaks down in the brain, neurons struggle to function and eventually die.
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This leads to memory loss, confusion, and the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
Blood sugar imbalances can impact our daily well-being. Spikes and crashes often lead to brain fog, irritability, and fatigue. Supporting metabolic stability is one way to help the brain stay focused and resilient over time.
Where Fiber Comes In
Prebiotic fiber supports gut health, blood sugar regulation, and a steady, low-inflammatory environment in the body. These benefits also influence how the brain functions and feels throughout the day.
According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, fiber may help preserve brain health by nourishing beneficial bacteria and reducing inflammation throughout the body, including the brain.
Here’s how fiber supports gut and brain function:
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Feeds beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a balanced microbiome
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Supports the production of SCFAs like butyrate, which may help reduce neuroinflammation
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Slows glucose absorption, which helps keep post-meal blood sugar levels steady
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Supports stable energy and cognitive function throughout the day
These effects help the brain stay supported through gut and metabolic health.
💚 How just better.® Supports Brain Health Through the Gut
At JUST BETTER BRANDS, we are proud to offer a prebiotic fiber supplement that is simple to use. just better.® is made from one, functional ingredient—100% soluble corn fiber—and it's designed to support real life.
When taken with meals and snacks, just better.® helps reduce blood sugar spikes and crashes, improves satiety, and nourishes the gut microbiome—all factors that support long-term brain health and cognitive resilience.
Because there’s no taste, grit, or texture, it fits right into your daily routine—whether stirred into coffee, mixed into a smoothie, or blended into your favorite recipes.
It's a powerful way to stay consistent with high-fiber goals and support your gut-brain connection every day.
🥗 Supporting the Gut-Brain Connection in Daily Life
The connection between gut health and brain health reflects the patterns we build over time. A fiber-rich lifestyle supports microbiome diversity, stable blood sugar levels, and mental clarity. Here are a few ways to support your gut-brain connection through daily choices:
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Aim to get around 30 grams of fiber each day, using a mix of fiber-rich whole foods and prebiotic support from just better.®.
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Focus on variety—diverse fiber sources help nourish a more resilient gut microbiome.
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Pair prebiotic fiber with meals and snacks to help support post-meal blood sugar stability and sustained energy.
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Limit - or eliminate - ultra-processed foods that may negatively impact the microbiome and increase inflammation.
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Stay hydrated to help fiber work effectively and support overall metabolic balance.
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Stick with it—gut-supportive habits are most effective with consistent, daily practice.
JBB Pro Tip: Adding just better.® prebiotic fiber to meals and snacks is one way to stay consistent with your fiber intake. It’s a simple tool that supports gut health, metabolic balance, and cognitive well-being.
🌿 Brain Health Starts with Daily Choices
The science is still evolving, but one thing is clear: our gut and brain are deeply connected, and the choices we make each day can help protect our health now and in the future.
Alzheimer’s prevention doesn’t begin with a diagnosis—it begins with supporting the systems that keep inflammation in check, our blood sugar steady, and our gut microbiome thriving. And that starts with daily fiber. Live just better.®!
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