Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is currently incurable. Pathogenic processes start in the brain decades before symptoms manifest. Lifestyle and diet can modify this risk significantly – especially in select individuals. Engaging in preventative strategies earlier in life is of utmost importance.
Some tips:
- Eat more root vegetables and beans
- Eat more dark, leafy greens
- Have nuts and seeds in your diet regularly
- Avoid red meat and high cholesterol foods
- Consider a Vitamin B12 supplement
Your APOE genotype significantly influences your risk of AD. What follows is some technical jargon but is very important. The APOE E4 allele increases your risk; E2 decreases risk and E3 is average risk. Remember, when it comes to genes you get one from mom and one from dad.
The risk effect of E4 is 3-fold for heterozygous carriers (APOE3/E4) and 15-fold for homozygous carriers (APOE4/E4) while the E2 allele has a protective effect (Odds Ratio =0.6). If you carry the E4 risk allele, adopting an anti-Alzheimer’s gene-diet, engaging in brain-stimulating activities, and exercising may help reduce your risk for developing AD.
This is one genetic test that has been developed over the last 12+ years. And evidence-based recommendations are becoming available. I truly believe in the next decade, medicine will become more personalized based on your genetic profile and your environmental influences.
My recommendation: Find a good Functional Medicine provider in your community and discover your APOE status and how to manage your personal risk, especially if you have a family history of AD. Knowledge is power in the world of healthy aging!
Helping you be a healthier you!
Tracy
