“Zinc is an essential nutrient that participates in many biological processes and plays critical roles in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, cell division, and brain health.”
“Eating a typical Western diet – high in processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages – raises blood glucose and insulin levels, promotes inflammation, and contributes to many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.”
“This episode of the Aliquot features FoundMyFitness guests with expertise in fields including lipid metabolism, Alzheimer's disease, and micronutrient biochemistry sharing their recommendations regarding blood tests that a person should consider adding to their yearly checkup.”
“A healthy intestinal barrier limits the transport of pathogens and endotoxins from the gut to the bloodstream; however, increased gut permeability (known as "leaky gut") raises endotoxin levels, leading to metabolic endotoxemia.”
“Exercise is a huge driver of how well we age because it induces profound molecular shifts that support immune health and might even protect our telomeres – indicators of aging. Exercise might help forestall certain age-related diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, too.”
“Roughly one-quarter of people living in the US carry a genetic variant of the apolipoprotein E gene, called APOE4, the most important genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Many lifestyle behaviors can mitigate risk, especially sleep hygiene, which provides an opportunity to rid the brain of toxic metabolic byproducts that can contribute to Alzheimer's disease risk.”
“Lifestyle factors, such as exercise, nutrition, sleep, and others, can temper some of the risks associated with carrying APOE4. This Aliquot focuses on the ones that can have the greatest benefits – and the ones that do the most harm.”
“Vascular dysfunction, the loss of normal endothelial tone and permeability of blood vessels, is a common feature of most forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. People who carry the APOE4 gene are at greater risk for vascular dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease.”
“Preventing dementia requires a lifelong and multipronged approach that involves keeping inflammation (and its aging effects) at bay and making healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising and consuming omega-3 fatty acids.”
“Genetic predisposition, altered glucose uptake in the brain, high blood pressure, and other factors can weaken the barrier's integrity, allowing endotoxins and inflammatory immune cells to infiltrate the brain and increasing a person's risk for dementia.”