What Causes Alzheimer's Disease and Who Gets It
At lower risk: No injury At higher risk: Prior head injury, especially after age 50
Why head injury matters: Prior head injury -- even years earlier -- is linked with a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's, though it's not clear why. That's not to say that any youthful bump will lead to Alzheimer's. The injury itself isn't thought to directly cause the disease, although it may hasten the process. But the more severe the trauma, the greater the risk of developing Alzheimer's, according to a large study of World War II veterans. The most concerning are thought to be falls with head injuries that occur later in life.
8. Was he or she a college graduate?
- At lower risk: Higher education level
- At higher risk: Lower education level
Why education matters: People with lower education levels are more often affected by Alzheimer's disease. Researchers theorize that longer education helps the brain develop stronger, denser, more complex connections between brain cells, creating more cognitive reserve. This positions the brain to be better able to withstand the abnormal stresses associated with Alzheimer's disease and compensate for the changes that occur.
9. Does he or she consume a balanced, low-fat, vitamin-rich diet?
- At lower risk: Heart-healthy diet rich in antioxidants
- At higher risk: Eating high-fat foods and an unbalanced diet
Why diet matters: Although there's no "Alzheimer's-prevention diet," a growing body of research indicates that nutrition influences brain health and may protect against or postpone cognitive decline. Specifically, your overall risk of Alzheimer's may be lower if you consume:
B vitamins: People who are folate (B-9) deficient may run triple the risk of developing dementia, according to recent South Korean data. Previous research showed vitamin B-12 to be protective.
Vitamin E: Those who consume the highest dietary amounts of this antioxidant have a lower incidence of Alzheimer's. Vitamin E supplements have not been shown to have the same protective effect.
Vitamin C: Another antioxidant, vitamin C, seems to have a protective effect in certain people, though possibly only in dietary form. Antioxidants counter the effects of oxidative stress, which is linked to nerve cell damage and death. Over-the-counter vitamin C supplements did not reduce Alzheimer's risk in a recent study of 2,969 people 65 and older.
A heart-healthy diet: People who consume a generally balanced diet that avoids too much fat and includes complex carbohydrates are less likely to develop conditions that are Alzheimer's risks, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
