The revelation has prompted Hemsworth to temporarily step out of the spotlight and focus on his family, health, and other aspects of his life for a while. Learning that he carries two copies of the Alzheimer\u2019s gene in his DNA has also pushed him to share his discoveries with the world, to help promote Alzheimer\u2019s awareness. Hemsworth wants to bring awareness to the impact genetic components<\/a> can have on disease risk connected with cognitive decline.<\/p>\n Chris Hemsworth discovered his genetic predisposition to Alzheimer\u2019s disease within the fifth episode of Limitless.<\/em> The episode entitled \u201cMemory\u201d followed Hemsworth undergoing a barrage of tests to explore his cognitive abilities, and the potential risks he may face later in life. According to Hemsworth, the plan was to have the doctor reveal the results of the examinations to him on camera.<\/p>\n However, the care professional approached Hemsworth and told him he needed to discuss the issue with him in private. While the revelation was included in the show, Hemsworth\u2019s doctor approached him first to explain the meaning of his discovery.<\/p>\n The blood panels conducted revealed Chis Hemsworth\u2019s Alzheimer\u2019s risk was greater than most, due to the presence of two copies of the APOE4 gene in his DNA. One copy came from his father, and the other from his mother. The presence of a single version<\/a> of this gene increases a person\u2019s risk of Alzheimer\u2019s, and around one in four people carry a copy.<\/p>\n However, possessing two copies of the gene increases his risk of Alzheimer\u2019s significantly, by around 15%. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health<\/a>, only approximately 2-3% of the population will have two copies of the APOE4 gene in their DNA like Chris Hemsworth does. <\/strong>This means that it was very significant news for Hemsworth to learn this.<\/p>\n The APOE protein is responsible for managing the metabolism of cholesterol in the body, and repairing neurons in the brain. The protein also performs various other functions, including binding with beta-amyloid, a substance which contributes to the formation of brain-based plaques associated with Alzheimer\u2019s disease. The mutated version of the gene, APOE4, can increase lipid build-up in the body, and increase the risk of damage to the brain.<\/p>\n While the impact of the APOE4 gene on brain health still isn\u2019t fully understood, researchers believe a copy of this gene can significantly increase a person\u2019s chances of suffering from dementia, and diseases related to cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n Chris Hemsworth\u2019s Alzheimer\u2019s discovery has brought increased attention to the impact genetics can have on one\u2019s future brain health, and a person\u2019s risk of cognitive ailments.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s worth noting that the presence of the APOE4 gene (or even two copies of it) does not guarantee a person will be diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s at any point in their lives. <\/strong>Yes, the risk increases, but the disease may not develop.<\/p>\n While the genetic factor increases risk, there are still preventative measures a person can take to protect their brain health, and minimize their chances of getting the disease.<\/p>\n According to the Lancet Commission<\/a> there are approximately 12 risk factors which can influence a person\u2019s risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease which can all be altered. For instance, factors such as smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and air pollution can all contribute to an increased Alzheimer\u2019s risk. These 12 changeable factors account for about 40% of dementia cases worldwide.<\/p>\n As such, even a person with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer\u2019s can still potentially avoid the disease, by pursuing a healthy lifestyle. One Finnish study<\/a> involving individuals with the APOE4 gene even found a healthy diet, careful management of vascular risk factors, and regular exercise all helped to reduce cognitive decline.<\/p>\n In other words, while for some of us, our genes may increase our risk of developing specific health conditions, learning about your risk factors as early as possible can help you to take the right steps to protect yourself.<\/p>\n For instance, people with the APOE4 gene in their DNA can reduce their risk by:<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Quitting smoking and cutting down on alcohol consumption<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Reducing exposure to sources of pollution<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Minimizing stress and taking steps to battle depression<\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Working with a healthcare provider to manage inflammatory conditions<\/a><\/p>\n \u00b7 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Increasing recreational and social activities to keep the brain active, and doing brain-stimulating exercises<\/a><\/p>\n When speaking out about his genetic findings and his risk of Alzheimer\u2019s, Hemsworth noted he hasn\u2019t decided to resign from the acting landscape, nor is he panicking that he\u2019ll definitely end up with an Alzheimer\u2019s diagnosis. Rather, his discovery has prompted him to take crucial steps in protecting his health, and avoiding any risk factors which may increase his chances of cognitive decline.<\/p>\n Specifically, people with the APOE4 gene, and others with a higher potential risk of Alzheimer\u2019s can improve their outlook and take preventative measures by focusing on:<\/p>\n The foods you eat can significantly reduce your risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>. With the right diet, you can ensure you\u2019re nourishing your brain with the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes it needs to thrive. Avoiding inflammatory foods such as sugar and highly processed products can reduce the neurodegeneration which occurs with diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n Furthermore, it\u2019s worth noting that many of the chemicals involved in managing brain processes are regulated by the gut. Studies have found the composition<\/a> of gut bacteria in people with Alzheimer\u2019s is often very different. Focusing on a diet designed to balance the gut microbiome and reduce inflammation can protect both the body and the brain.<\/p>\n A diet rich in healthy probiotics, packed with mineral-rich vegetables and fruits, and low in fats and salts can be particularly beneficial to those with a higher genetic risk of Alzheimer\u2019s. Many experts, including the Alzheimer\u2019s Society<\/a>, recommend a Mediterranean-style diet rich in brain-building healthy oils and low in saturated fats. Avoiding foods which can harm the brain, such as high amounts of alcohol, and red meats, can also be beneficial.<\/p>\n For people like Chris Hemsworth, Alzheimer\u2019s prevention can also involve a strong focus on regular exercise and activity, including brain-stimulating exercises.<\/p>\n Physical activity helps to strengthen all muscles in the body \u2013 including the brain. Strength training and aerobic exercise are particularly valuable for increasing blood flow, and reducing the risk of vascular problems in the brain.<\/p>\n Certain types of exercise, such as Tai Chi, have been proven<\/a> to lead to significant changes in white matter formation within the brain, reducing the risk of dementia. Many forms of aerobic exercise can increase the brain\u2019s volume, and preserve neural networks, even for people with copies of the APOE4 gene. This means staying physically active can help to protect you against dementia.<\/p>\n Virtually all forms of regular exercise are beneficial, from taking regular walks or cycling to work, to running, or lifting weights. Exercise also reduces your risk of other compounding issues which can contribute to the development of dementia, such as obesity.<\/p>\n Brain-stimulating exercises include crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and even learning a choreographed dance routine.<\/p>\n While diet and exercise are considered two of the most important tools in the fight against dementia, there is another factor worth considering too. For Chris Hemsworth, Alzheimer\u2019s prevention also includes taking a new approach to sleep and recuperation.<\/p>\n Regularly getting a good night\u2019s sleep is important for long-term brain health. During sleep, the brain goes through a number of processes, removing toxins and repairing cells. Getting enough sleep doesn\u2019t just improve your mood, it can also help to keep your brain healthy. When you get a good night\u2019s sleep, you\u2019re allowing your brain to eliminate toxic particles which can build up throughout the day, minimizing mental degradation.<\/p>\n While the brain is constantly detoxing itself, even when you\u2019re awake, studies show<\/a> during sleep, the brain\u2019s ability to remove toxic components increases by around 60%. Crucially, however, getting too much sleep can be as problematic as not getting enough. Excessive sleep can also cause damage to the brain and mood, so it\u2019s important to find your sweet spot for a good night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\n Most people will benefit from getting around 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.<\/p>\n For Chris Hemsworth, Alzheimer\u2019s prevention is now an important part of living a healthy, happy life. While the actor hasn\u2019t been diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s, his discovery of his genetic risk factors that make him more predisposed to dementia have allowed him to make important changes to his lifestyle.<\/p>\n Hemsworth\u2019s story teaches us just how important it can be to understand the genetic risk factors which can influence your long-term health and longevity. Using your CircleDNA test, you can find out<\/a> if you carry genetic mutations or genetic copies that increase your risk of any health conditions.<\/strong> You\u2019ll learn more about which genetic factors might increase your chances of different health conditions, which is very helpful information to find out.<\/p>\n Once you have this information, you can follow in Hemsworth\u2019s footsteps, by taking preventative measures, and adjusting your lifestyle to protect your future health.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For world-famous actor Chris Hemsworth, Alzheimer\u2019s has become a significant concern in the last year. While the Marvel superstar hasn\u2019t received an official diagnosis of the condition,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3468,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[5355,2067,2068,6274,8546,788,8708,7977,6276,4903,7956,1296,4477,8470,8276,5193,4741,4439,4395],"class_list":["post-1288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-en","tag-alzheimers","tag-balancing-two-roles","tag-career-woman-and-mother","tag-chris","tag-circledna-review","tag-disease","tag-dna-testing","tag-family","tag-hemsworths","tag-know","tag-lifestyle","tag-mammogram","tag-need","tag-news","tag-protein","tag-risk","tag-us-uncategorized","tag-what","tag-you"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1288"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6353,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1288\/revisions\/6353"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"circlemagazine-circledna-chris-hemsworth-alzheimer\u2019s-risk\"](\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/content\/images\/2023\/03\/genetic-engineering-scientist-viewing-cells-in-a-2022-12-16-22-17-32-utc.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nChris Hemsworth Alzheimer\u2019s Risk: The Genetic Factors<\/h3>\n
![\"circlemagazine-circledna-APOE4-gene-guarantee-an-alzheimer\u2019s-diagnosis\"](\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/content\/images\/2023\/03\/cropped-view-of-retired-man-with-alzheimer-disease-2022-12-16-20-03-23-utc.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nDoes the APOE4 Gene Guarantee an Alzheimer\u2019s Diagnosis?<\/h3>\n
How Can People With the APOE4 Gene Reduce Their Risk of Alzheimer\u2019s?<\/h3>\n
Brain-Healthy Dietary Choices<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Regular Exercise and Activity (Including Brain-Stimulating Exercises)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Improving Sleep Patterns<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Learning from Chris Hemsworth\u2019s Genetic Discovery<\/h3>\n
References:<\/h3>\n
\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact-sheet<\/a><\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.nih.gov\/news-events\/nih-research-matters\/study-reveals-how-apoe4-gene-may-increase-risk-dementia<\/a><\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/article\/S0140-6736(20)30367-6\/fulltext<\/a><\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamaneurology\/fullarticle\/2670443<\/a><\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/gut.bmj.com\/content\/71\/11\/2233#:~:text=Our findings suggest that the,treating brain disorders including AD<\/a>.<\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.alzheimers.org.uk\/about-dementia\/risk-factors-and-prevention\/mediterranean-diet-and-dementia<\/a><\/li>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7151065\/<\/a><\/li>\n