Do YOU have this Alzheimer’s gene? (Don’t panic!)

If there’s one condition we all hope to avoid as we age, it’s Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Unfortunately, the rate of AD continues to rise.

And yes, some folks do have a genetic influence.

But it’s important to remember that, in order for “bad genes” to influence your health, they require “expression.”

And in the case of AD, an overlooked nutrient could help…

Fight back with choline

According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s disease does NOT have a single genetic cause in most cases.

Rather, multiple genes—combined with certain lifestyle factors—influence your risk of developing the disease.

That being said, a gene called APOE4 is probably the strongest genetic influencer of Alzheimer’s risk, as about half of all patients carry it.

People with one copy of the gene are 3.5 times more likely, on average, to develop Alzheimer’s than others. And those with two copies face a 12-fold increased risk.

So… why is APOE4 so significant?

Well, research out of MIT suggests that the APOE4 gene affects your brain cells’ ability to metabolize lipids and respond to stress. It also seems to directly disrupt your brain cells’ ability to carry out normal functions.

But here’s the kicker…

Treating brain cells with extra choline could reverse the effects of APOE4 on the brain.

In fact, the MIT researchers hope this discovery will soon lead to clinical trials involving choline supplements in people who carry the gene.

Boost YOUR intake

Choline is an essential nutrient—found in many whole foods—that your cells require in order to maintain their structure.

It plays an important role in your gene expression regulation. And your body uses it to generate acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter responsible for memory, mood, and muscle control.

Not to mention, choline lowers homocysteine—high levels of which have strong ties to both heart disease and Alzheimer’s development.

Of course, as I mentioned, choline remains an overlooked nutrient. Some experts even warn that we’re headed toward a “choline crisis”—mostly because of the shift toward plant-based products.

But in order to obtain the most choline from your diet, you need a mixture of plant AND animal products… like broccoli, cauliflower, beans, dairy, egg yolks, beef, liver, and chicken.

Supplementation is another safe and inexpensive option. I recommend 80 to 150 mg of choline per day.

For a more detailed plan to help protect and restore memory and fight cognitive decline, take a look at my Alzheimer’s Prevention and Treatment Plan. Click here to learn more about this innovative, online learning tool!

Source:

“Study offers an explanation for why the APOE4 gene enhances Alzheimer’s risk.” MIT News, 03/03/21. (news.mit.edu/2021/study-offers-explanation-why-apoe4-gene-enhances-alzheimers-risk)