I Have the Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Gene

A Cure for Alzheimer’s

After digging through my DNA data, by far the highest risk to my longevity is Alzheimer’s Disease.

The first thing I did when finding this out was Google “cure for Alzheimer’s.” I found out, there isn’t one, and to my surprise, scientists still don’t know what causes Alzheimer’s.

Disappointed and concerned, I set-up a Google alert for Alzheimer’s, and over the next year, I read every article I could.

I thought: “I’m 46 years old; There was still time, and surely they must be close to a cure.”

Unfortunately no. The more I learned about Alzheimer’s, the more I realized the research was all over the map.

Also, the more I read, the more terrified I became. I had little knowledge of Alzheimer’s when I began, but as I educated myself, I came to a better understanding of how horrific the disease truly is.

I can’t imagine not knowing my loved ones. It scares the shit out of me to think; I have a 1 in 3 chance of not recognizing my son, Donovan, by age 65.

The current life expectancy for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is ten years, with some surviving as long as twenty. What a lonely and isolated existence. I had to do something.

Alzheimer’s Prevention

I eventually came to my senses and realized that waiting for some “magic pill” was the wrong approach. It was time to get proactive.

The only reoccurring theme in my research was that diet and exercise decreased the likelihood of contracting the disease.

I was already a healthy eater and reasonably active, but I decided to take it to the next level.

Diet for Alzheimer’s Prevention

Since people love to name their diets, let’s call mine the Common Sense Diet.

Let’s start with nutritional labels. When shopping for groceries, I focus on foods WITHOUT dietary labels.

I stick to the perimeter of the store and buy only fresh, whole, and unprocessed foods. This means a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Chicken and eggs are my go-to protein source. I do eat red meat, but I try to limit it to only a few times a month.

Most of my meals are salads. At first, it might seem that eating mainly salads is boring and unsatisfying, but the reality is the exact opposite.

Most people don’t know how to make a salad. I’m serious. I’ve been to your homes, I’ve seen your potluck contributions. You make terrible salads. You throw some lettuce in a bowl and drown it in dressing.

The salads I eat are not only nutritious, but they’re fucking delicious too.

Typical Meal: spinach, artichokes, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, and tuna

A salad should be a rainbow of ingredients. Start with a base of leafy green vegetables. Add onions, cucumbers, and peppers, Throw in some fermented foods, like sour kraut, pickled beets, artichokes, and ginger. Top off with garbanzo or black beans along with other proteins, such as chicken, hard boiled eggs, fish or shrimp. Don’t forget the bacon bits, dried fruit, and nuts.

The options are limitless. The best part, you can eat as much as you want. You can’t overdo it.

My diet isn’t just about what I eat; it’s about what I don’t eat. I’m not over the top strict, but I avoid all types of sugar. I also limit my intake of pasta and bread — only one serving a day, at most.

As for alcohol, yes, in moderation. I’m not a total asshole.

Eating this way works for me. I feel great and have tons of energy. Intuitively I know I’m healthier for it. It’s just common sense.

Intermittent Fasting and Alzheimer’s Prevention

In the past couple of years, I have also started the practice of intermittent fasting to prevent Alzheimer’s. Fasting and caloric restriction has been proven to extend life expectancy, and new studies have found a direct correlation between intermittent fasting and the prevention of Alzheimer’s.

Intermittent fasting also helps me keep food addictions in check. It forces me to ask myself why I am eating. Am I really hungry? Am I bored? Should I be putting this in my mouth?

Intermittent fasting has made me a more conscious eater. As a result, I have a healthier relationship with food.

Again, I’m not overly strict, but depending on my activity level, I will usually wait until early afternoon before having my first meal. I try to eat only within an eight-hour window each day.

There’s a useful app called Zero that I use to keep track of my fasting.

Exercise and Alzheimer’s Prevention

As I’ve mentioned in other posts, vigorous exercise has been proven to increase telomere length. Telomeres are a marker used to measure biological age.

My exercise of choice is running. I try to run at least nine miles a day. It is now a known fact that high amounts of running can turn back time in our bodies at the cellular level, as much as nine years.

There are mental benefits to running as well. A recent study of 153,000 walkers and runners, has concluded that long-distance runners are 40% less likely to die from Alzheimer’s.

Social Interaction and Alzheimer’s Prevention

Another no brainer. Social interaction has been shown to prevent Alzheimer’s.

In today’s world, social media has replaced genuine social interaction. You may think you are in contact with your friends, family, and acquaintances. But ask yourself, how often are you really communicating face-to-face in a meaningful way?

My solution? Every evening I ride my bicycle to the local bar for at least one beer.

That’s right; the local bar is part of my Alzheimer’s prevention strategy. It’s the most accessible and most likely place to find consistently good conversation. People speak more freely. You get to know who is in your community. We discuss local and national events. Sometimes it’s light-hearted, other times it’s passionate.

Everyone who works at the bar is in their twenties. I love interacting with them and their younger perspective. We talk about our days, and we listen to each other. We gossip and laugh. It’s the highlight of my day. I helps me feel more in touch with the next generation.

Creativity and Alzheimer’s Prevention

I believe there is a link between cognitive decline and being creative. We’ve all heard the expression “use it or lose it.”

Having a creative outlet is why I started the AgeHIGH blog. It keeps me focused on my goals, and it forces me to use my brain. Like a muscle, it needs to be flexed.

Whether anyone reads my writing or not, it serves a purpose. It makes me think.

With the acceptance that I will not always be here, I also see keeping a blog as a way for me to communicate with future generations.

How insane is it to think, a thousand years from now, my digital legacy will likely still exist? That by documenting my life and passions, I can extend a hand across time and reach out to relatives that won’t be alive for decades. Hopefully, it will inspire them to live their best life and go for it.