Prevention: Is Alzheimer’s Hereditary? Expert Breaks Down the Risks

Prevention recently interviewed Zaldy Tan, MD, MPH, medical director of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders at Cedars-Sinai, about the role of genetics in the development of Alzheimer’s disease—the most common form of dementia.

Although the APOE gene is known to influence Alzheimer’s risk, experts emphasize that genetics alone cannot predict whether someone will develop the disease. Instead, experts recommend making healthy lifestyle choices to help maintain brain health.

Tan, the Carmen and Louis Warschaw Chair in Neurology and director of the Maxine and Bernard Platzer Lynn Family Memory and Healthy Aging Program, told Prevention engaging the brain in new and different activities is one of the best ways to reduce dementia risk.

“Brain games, crossword puzzles and Sudoku are meant to challenge specific areas of the brain, but our minds are complex, and different areas serve different functions,” he said. “Think of it like cross-training for the brain, because different activities give you a better chance of having the totality of your mind stimulated and engaged.”

Tan told Prevention regular physical exercise also stimulates the brain and “undoubtedly reduces the risk for heart disease, stroke and other vascular phenomena.”

He said certain vitamin deficiencies can affect memory and recommended speaking with a physician about whether supplements could help.

“If your vitamin B12 is low, it needs to be supplemented, because brain cells need B12 to function,” he said. “And there is a link between lack of vitamin D and dementia, so it can be good to take a supplement.”

Other ways to help reduce Alzheimer’s risk include managing stress, eating plant-based and lean proteins, improving sleep and staying socially connected.

Click here to read the complete article from Prevention.