Part 1 of 3:
From the Alzheimer's Society:
Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease occurs in people age 30 to 60 and represents less than 5 percent of all people with Alzheimer's. Most cases are caused by an inherited change in one of three genes, resulting in a type known as early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease, or FAD. For others, the disease appears to develop without any specific, known cause.
A child whose biological mother or father carries a genetic mutation for early-onset FAD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting that mutation. If the mutation is in fact inherited, the child has a very strong probability of developing early-onset FAD.
Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Most people with Alzheimer's have the late-onset form of the disease, in which symptoms become apparent in the mid-60s and later. The causes of late-onset Alzheimer's are not yet completely understood, but they likely include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that affect a person's risk for developing the disease. By far the number one risk factor for Alzheimer's is old age. 37% of those with Alzheimer's are 85 or older, 44% are 75 - 84 and 15% are 65 - 74. Only 4% are younger than 65. At no time in human history has there been as many old people living on the planet. 96% of those with Alzheimer's are 65 or older, and 81% are 75 or older.
These are unchartered territories for our species; trying to assign blame to a weed killer is ridiculous. I will post very good data analyses regarding fluoride that shows it is almost certainly not a risk factor for any of these issues. Aluminum has been suspected to be a contributing factor to Alzheimer's for decades, but the science still does not understand the link or if there is a link.
Researchers have not found a specific gene that directly causes the late-onset form of the disease. However, one genetic risk factor—having one form of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene on chromosome 19—does increase a person's risk. APOE comes in several different forms, or alleles:
KNOWN contributing factors:
Several conditions known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease — such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol — also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Some autopsy studies show that as many as 80 percent of individuals with Alzheimer's disease also have cardiovascular disease. Diabetes has become a pandemic, with the majority having Type 2 diabetes due to lifestyle choices, being overweight and obese. About 1/3 of Americans are obese and about 2/3 are overweight/obese. Poor dietary choices over a lifetime greatly contribute to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Obesity, as researchers are finding, contributes to a host of disease, not the least being Alzheimer's.
A longstanding question is why some people develop hallmark Alzheimer's plaques and tangles but do not develop the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Vascular disease may help researchers eventually find an answer. Some autopsy studies suggest that plaques and tangles may be present in the brain without causing symptoms of cognitive decline unless the brain also shows evidence of vascular disease.
There appears to be a strong link between future risk of Alzheimer's and serious head trauma, especially when injury involves loss of consciousness. You can help reduce your risk of Alzheimer's by protecting your head. Wear a seat belt. Use a helmet when participating in sports. Avoid sports wherein hits to the head are commonplace (football, soccer, boxing, MMA).
Regular physical exercise may be a beneficial strategy to lower the risk of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. Exercise may directly benefit brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow in the brain Because of its known cardiovascular benefits, a medically approved exercise program is a valuable part of any overall wellness plan.
Current evidence suggests that heart-healthy eating may also help protect the brain. Heart-healthy eating includes limiting the intake of sugar and saturated fats and making sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. No one diet is best. Two diets that have been studied and may be beneficial are the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and the Mediterranean diet. The DASH diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits and fat-free or low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils; and limits sodium, sweets, sugary beverages, and red meats. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats.
A number of studies indicate that maintaining strong social connections and keeping mentally active as we age might lower the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's. Experts are not certain about the reason for this association. It may be due to direct mechanisms through which social and mental stimulation strengthen connections between nerve cells in the brain.
Recent research has shown that smoking is a significant risk factor for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, with smokers twice as likely to develop the disease as non smokers. Drug and alcohol abuse are also considered contributing factors.
So let's not fukking take ownership of this. Let's all blame Round-up. Or Fluoride. Or the aluminum pot. Let's not think about the fact that so many of us look like elephant seals, eat like pigs, smoke like chimneys, drink like fish, have no friends as a result and are too mentally lazy to learn anything new.
Diet, exercise, social and mental stimulation, weight control, substance abuse and generally taking care of ones self are the best mitigation strategies in the fight against Alzheimer's.
