Did you know there is a link between Alzheimer’s disease and cholesterol levels? This has been known for sometime, actually. Middle-aged adults with high total cholesterol levels—even moderately high—are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. And, very high HDL (good) cholesterol levels in older adults puts them at reduced risk of Alzheimer’s.

Two new studies takes this link even further. Researchers are trying to find genes that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The APOE gene has already been strongly linked to the disease—if you have two versions of APOE4 (one from mom, one from dad) then you are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s because this APOE version is inefficient at breaking down amyloid beta plaques in the brain. Amyloid beta plaques are the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

The new studies have found five more genes related to the development of Alzheimer’s, The interesting part is the function of these genes. The genes are involved with cholesterol and inflammation—both of which have been implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have found that a chemical formed when cholesterol reacts with ozone (formed by inflammation) is involved in misfolding of amyloid beta, which makes it difficult to remove from the brain. The cholesterol link is interesting because cholesterol is produced in the liver, and the liver may be the actual source of amyloid beta in the first place, according to yet another recent study I blogged on recently.

Another finding comes from the University of California at Irvine. Cortisol, a hormone produced during stress, may also play a role in misfolding of amyloid beta. All the more reason to find some stress relief!

All these links of Alzheimer’s disease to processes that occur in other areas of the body make it even more important to eat a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise, and find ways to relieve stress. And if you have high cholesterol—do something about it! Your body is telling you that something is off. Are you listening to it?

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Alzheimer’s, amyloid beta, APOE, body, chemical, cholesterol, cortisol, diet, disease, exercise, genes, HDL, healthy, Hormone, inflammation, liver, relief, risk, stress

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss a condition that is impacting more and more people each year–Alzheimer’s. In two recent studies it was shown that inflammation in the body can lead to Alzheimer’s. How does inflammation impact your brain? What can you do to reduce inflammation in the body? Tune in and find out…

Full Script:
Just recently a friend of mine was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This has made me be a little more aware of information I come across about Alzheimers.

An article posted last week talks about inflammation being a trigger for Alzheimer’s disease. Two studies quoted in the article support this conclusion.

For some time now scientists have known that a high accumulation of a protein called amyloid beta in the brain is responsible for Alzheimer’s. In this disease, this amyloid beta protein accumulates because a transporter protein, called LRP, that pushes amyloid out of the brain and into the bloodstream malfunctions. Until now, they have not been able to figure out what makes this transporter malfunction. The studies are now showing that the onset of inflammation, especially too much inflammation anywhere in the body can turn off this transport, allowing amyloid beta to accumulate within the brain tissue.

They are also seeing that administering a substance, in this case a pharmaceutical, that reduces inflammation prevents the transport protein from malfunctioning.

There is so much information popping up about the harmful effects inflammation has throughout the body, and this is another very serious example of just that.

There are lots of natural anti-inflammatories available and one of the best is a concentrated high potency omega 3 oil supplement, like the Norwegian Gold Critical Omega. Other great anti-inflammatories are turmeric, boswellia, quercitin and ginger. There are even formulas you can find in your local health food store specifically to reduce the inflammatory process.

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Alzheimer's, amyloid beta, blood stream, boswellia, Brenda Watson, curcumin, ginger, inflammation, lrp, Norwegian Gold Fish Oils, omega-3 oil, turmeric