#251 - AMA #46: Optimizing brain health: Alzheimer's disease risk factors, APOE, prevention strategies, and more
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Apr 17, 2023
This AMA dives deep into brain health, unraveling the complexities of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and the significance of blood-based biomarkers. Discover how APOE gene variants alter your risk and explore strategies for prevention. Beyond exercise, Peter reveals surprising factors such as nutrition, lipid management, and even oral health that impact cognitive function. Learn about the intricacies of diagnosing neurodegeneration and the role of lifestyle choices in managing risks. It’s an enlightening talk full of actionable insights!
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Diagnosing Alzheimer's
Diagnose Alzheimer's with clinical evaluation by neurologists, patient input, and cognitive tests.
Rule out other conditions like hypothyroidism or vitamin deficiencies with lab tests, and consider biomarkers like amyloid and tau.
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Alzheimer's Biomarkers
Alzheimer's biomarkers like amyloid and tau, measured via lumbar puncture or blood tests, help assess risk.
The C2N test combines APOE status, amyloid ratio, and age to predict Alzheimer's pathology, but its utility is still being evaluated.
insights INSIGHT
Genetic Component of Alzheimer's
APOE4 gene significantly increases Alzheimer's risk, but it's not deterministic; other genes modify this risk.
Consider whole-genome sequencing for a comprehensive understanding, as many relevant genes aren't on standard commercial tests.
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In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter goes into depth on the topic of brain health, starting with how Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed, the significance of blood-based biomarkers in diagnosis, and what the various APOE gene variants mean in terms of a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Next, Peter discusses the various strategies for preventing Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration. He touches briefly on exercise as a potent tool, but focuses more on lesser-known factors that could impact brain health, such as nutrition supplementation, lipid management, brain games, sauna, oral health, hearing loss, and more.
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We discuss:
Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease [2:45];
Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, the C2N test, and other tools for diagnosis [7:30];
Genetic component of Alzheimer’s disease: genes that confer risk [12:45];
Understanding your APOE status and why it’s important to know [17:15];
The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and who is at higher risk [21:15];
Can the risk of Alzheimer’s disease be decreased with behavioral changes? [24:15];
Overview of modifiable behaviors that potentially play a role in risk reduction of neurodegeneration [30:15];
Things that clearly impact brain health: smoking, alcohol, sleep, head injuries, blood pressure, and more [34:15];
How nutrition impacts brain health: common diets, metabolic health, energy balance, and more [46:15];
Comparing common diets: data showing the association between the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and specific diets [59:45];
Supplements: EPA and DHA, vitamin D, and B vitamins [1:13:00];
Supplements: theracurmin, cocoa flavonols, and magnesium L-threonate [1:25:15];
Impact of exercise on brain health, minimum effective dose, and the most important types of exercise [1:33:00];
Challenging the mind with brain games—does it impact neurodegeneration? [1:43:00];
The data on sauna and brain health [1:49:45];
Oral health and its association with brain health [1:52:45];
How reducing lipids can improve brain health and prevent neurodegeneration [1:55:30];
The potential impact of hearing loss on brain health and neurodegeneration [2:04:30]; and
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