Genes carry genetic information from parents to offspring, shaping traits and health. Variations called alleles, like APOE ε4, are linked to Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Learn more about how genes impact health and aging.
Genes are DNA sequences that carry genetic information from parents to their offspring. Each parent gives their child a copy of a gene. These genes are not the same in all people – they have several versions. These variations are called alleles. Some allele variants have been linked with diseases like these affecting the heart or brain. One such example is the APOE ε4 which has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Read below to find out more!
Understanding the basics
Before we dive deeper into the article, we need to learn a few key.
Genes
Genes are DNA sequences that contain genetic information passed down from generation to generation (1). A person usually inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent (2). Most genes contain instructions that are necessary to make proteins.
Alleles
Genes can have different versions or forms called alleles. In other words, an allele is an alternative version of a gene (3). They usually have a small variation in the DNA base sequence. These differences contribute to the various features of people.
Apolipoproteins
Lipoproteins are proteins bound to lipids (fatty or waxy chemical substances that do not dissolve in water) (4). Apolipoproteins (APOs) represent a protein component of your blood’s lipoprotein. They bind to lipids and transport them to various tissues around your body for metabolism and multiple functions (5). There are several subtypes of these proteins, denoted as letters A, B, C, D, E, L, F, H, M, N, and R, with each having a different function.
Researchers were able to link APOs to several diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, heart conditions, diabetes, and many others (5). Therefore, they have been extensively studied to understand their role in disease and to learn how to utilize them as targets that could slow down or even prevent the development of these diseases. Why is this important? Because many of them are age-related conditions.
What is the APOE gene?
The APOE gene is a gene that holds the instructions for making a protein named apolipoprotein ε (6). Researchers were able to identify three alleles (slightly different versions) of the APOE gene. These versions are APOE ε2, APOE ε3, and APOE ε4. APOE ε3 is the most common form among them (7).
At Healthy Longevity Clinic, we understand how important knowing this information is to you. Therefore, we have established a number of tests to determine if you have any of the APOE alleles. This way, you can better understand the diagnostic or intervention programs that best fit your case to fight the aging process and keep your brain and body health at their best. Book a compolimentary consultation to learn more!
The link between APOE ε4 allele and Alzheimer’s diseases
Researchers were able to determine a connection between APOE ε4 and Alzheimer’s disease. Let us explore how that works.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain and worsens with time (8). The disease affects the parts of the brain responsible for thought control, memory, and language. It starts as a mild form of memory loss but progresses to affect thinking skills and the ability to carry out simple tasks (8). If you are affected by it, you eventually become unable to carry on a conversation or respond to stimuli in the environment.
APOE ε4 allele
As mentioned earlier, there are several forms (alleles) of the APOE gene, one of which is the APOE ε4 (7). APOE is responsible for transporting cholesterol to your neurons in your brain and spinal cord for various activities, like nerve-repairing processes (9, 10). The ε4 allele has been tied to several diseases, one of which is Alzheimer’s disease (9, 11).
Remember we mentioned that you get one copy of a gene from each parent? Well, this is where things get interesting. Researchers found that if you have one APOE ε4 allele, there is a 50% chance that you will develop Alzheimer's disease (8). This percentage goes up to 90% if you have two versions.
Also, each ε4 allele reduces the age at which the disease develops (8). In other words, if you have two copies of the ε4 allele, you have a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease at a younger age than non-carriers. The same rule applies to having one copy of the allele versus non-carriers.
We should note one important thing here: Carrying the ε4 allele puts you at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but it is not a definite outcome (8). This means that you could be a carrier without developing it.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factors
Brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs) are factors that play a significant role in maintaining the health of the parts connecting one nerve to another (12). Studies have shown that this role makes them critical for learning and memory.
BDNFs blood levels correlate to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (12). In this regard, Alzheimer’s patients with lower blood BDNF levels have been reported to show a faster reduction in cognitive skills.
How does this relate to the APOE ε4 allele? Researchers showed that some APOE ε4 allele carriers have lower BDNF levels (13).
At Healthy Longevity Clinic, we have tests that determine your carrier status of the APOE ε4 allele and many others. In addition, we have several cognitive programs, diagnostic procedures, and treatments directed toward maintaining and improving your cognitive health. You can find out much more about them by visiting our clinical programs page. Also, you can book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our services.
APOE ε4 allele and cardiovascular disease
In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers were able to link APOE ε4 to conditions that affect the circulatory system (9). This happens because APOE ε4 increases your blood levels of low-density (bad) cholesterol (10). Therefore, it puts you at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke due to the accumulation of these fats in the major blood vessels.
Lifestyle modifications and APOE ε4 allele
Researchers were able to show that adopting a healthy lifestyle could mitigate some of the negative consequences of APOE ε4 alleles. For example, studies showed that adopting a Mediterranean diet resulted in lower rates of Alzheimer's disease in addition to slower progression (14). Furthermore, one study suggested that the risk of cognitive impairment dropped by one-third.
In addition, physical activity, several vitamins, minerals, and supplements have also been shown to be valuable in attenuating the effects of the genetic component (14, 15). Other factors like sunlight exposure (to get vitamin D), strength training, coffee extract, phosphatidylcholine, and lion mane could also help (14, 16-19).
Are you at risk of Alzheimer’s disease?
You can undergo genetic testing to find out whether you have the Alzheimer’s gene or not. In Healthy Longevity Clinic, you can choose from a wide range of diagnostic tests, programs, and treatments that help detect such genes and attenuate or delay their effects. We have created specialized programs to improve your brain health. Every second matters so book your compolimentary consultation to find out how our programs, diagnostics, and treatments can help you improve your health and longevity.
Genes are DNA sequences that carry genetic information from parents to their offspring. Each parent gives their child a copy of a gene. These genes are not the same in all people – they have several versions. These variations are called alleles. Some allele variants have been linked with diseases like these affecting the heart or brain. One such example is the APOE ε4 which has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Read below to find out more!
Understanding the basics
Before we dive deeper into the article, we need to learn a few key.
Genes
Genes are DNA sequences that contain genetic information passed down from generation to generation (1). A person usually inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent (2). Most genes contain instructions that are necessary to make proteins.
Alleles
Genes can have different versions or forms called alleles. In other words, an allele is an alternative version of a gene (3). They usually have a small variation in the DNA base sequence. These differences contribute to the various features of people.
Apolipoproteins
Lipoproteins are proteins bound to lipids (fatty or waxy chemical substances that do not dissolve in water) (4). Apolipoproteins (APOs) represent a protein component of your blood’s lipoprotein. They bind to lipids and transport them to various tissues around your body for metabolism and multiple functions (5). There are several subtypes of these proteins, denoted as letters A, B, C, D, E, L, F, H, M, N, and R, with each having a different function.
Researchers were able to link APOs to several diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, heart conditions, diabetes, and many others (5). Therefore, they have been extensively studied to understand their role in disease and to learn how to utilize them as targets that could slow down or even prevent the development of these diseases. Why is this important? Because many of them are age-related conditions.
What is the APOE gene?
The APOE gene is a gene that holds the instructions for making a protein named apolipoprotein ε (6). Researchers were able to identify three alleles (slightly different versions) of the APOE gene. These versions are APOE ε2, APOE ε3, and APOE ε4. APOE ε3 is the most common form among them (7).
At Healthy Longevity Clinic, we understand how important knowing this information is to you. Therefore, we have established a number of tests to determine if you have any of the APOE alleles. This way, you can better understand the diagnostic or intervention programs that best fit your case to fight the aging process and keep your brain and body health at their best. Book a compolimentary consultation to learn more!
The link between APOE ε4 allele and Alzheimer’s diseases
Researchers were able to determine a connection between APOE ε4 and Alzheimer’s disease. Let us explore how that works.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain and worsens with time (8). The disease affects the parts of the brain responsible for thought control, memory, and language. It starts as a mild form of memory loss but progresses to affect thinking skills and the ability to carry out simple tasks (8). If you are affected by it, you eventually become unable to carry on a conversation or respond to stimuli in the environment.
APOE ε4 allele
As mentioned earlier, there are several forms (alleles) of the APOE gene, one of which is the APOE ε4 (7). APOE is responsible for transporting cholesterol to your neurons in your brain and spinal cord for various activities, like nerve-repairing processes (9, 10). The ε4 allele has been tied to several diseases, one of which is Alzheimer’s disease (9, 11).
Remember we mentioned that you get one copy of a gene from each parent? Well, this is where things get interesting. Researchers found that if you have one APOE ε4 allele, there is a 50% chance that you will develop Alzheimer's disease (8). This percentage goes up to 90% if you have two versions.
Also, each ε4 allele reduces the age at which the disease develops (8). In other words, if you have two copies of the ε4 allele, you have a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease at a younger age than non-carriers. The same rule applies to having one copy of the allele versus non-carriers.
We should note one important thing here: Carrying the ε4 allele puts you at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but it is not a definite outcome (8). This means that you could be a carrier without developing it.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factors
Brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs) are factors that play a significant role in maintaining the health of the parts connecting one nerve to another (12). Studies have shown that this role makes them critical for learning and memory.
BDNFs blood levels correlate to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (12). In this regard, Alzheimer’s patients with lower blood BDNF levels have been reported to show a faster reduction in cognitive skills.
How does this relate to the APOE ε4 allele? Researchers showed that some APOE ε4 allele carriers have lower BDNF levels (13).
At Healthy Longevity Clinic, we have tests that determine your carrier status of the APOE ε4 allele and many others. In addition, we have several cognitive programs, diagnostic procedures, and treatments directed toward maintaining and improving your cognitive health. You can find out much more about them by visiting our clinical programs page. Also, you can book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our services.
APOE ε4 allele and cardiovascular disease
In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers were able to link APOE ε4 to conditions that affect the circulatory system (9). This happens because APOE ε4 increases your blood levels of low-density (bad) cholesterol (10). Therefore, it puts you at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke due to the accumulation of these fats in the major blood vessels.
Lifestyle modifications and APOE ε4 allele
Researchers were able to show that adopting a healthy lifestyle could mitigate some of the negative consequences of APOE ε4 alleles. For example, studies showed that adopting a Mediterranean diet resulted in lower rates of Alzheimer's disease in addition to slower progression (14). Furthermore, one study suggested that the risk of cognitive impairment dropped by one-third.
In addition, physical activity, several vitamins, minerals, and supplements have also been shown to be valuable in attenuating the effects of the genetic component (14, 15). Other factors like sunlight exposure (to get vitamin D), strength training, coffee extract, phosphatidylcholine, and lion mane could also help (14, 16-19).
Are you at risk of Alzheimer’s disease?
You can undergo genetic testing to find out whether you have the Alzheimer’s gene or not. In Healthy Longevity Clinic, you can choose from a wide range of diagnostic tests, programs, and treatments that help detect such genes and attenuate or delay their effects. We have created specialized programs to improve your brain health. Every second matters so book your compolimentary consultation to find out how our programs, diagnostics, and treatments can help you improve your health and longevity.
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13. Alvarez A, Aleixandre M, Linares C, Masliah E, Moessler H. Apathy and APOE4 are associated with reduced BDNF levels in Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014;42(4):1347-55.
14. Norwitz NG, Saif N, Ariza IE, Isaacson RS. Precision nutrition for Alzheimer’s prevention in ApoE4 carriers. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1362.
15. Colovati MES, Novais IP, Zampol M, Mendes GD, Cernach MCS, Zanesco A. Interaction between physical exercise and APOE gene polymorphism on cognitive function in older people. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2020;54.
16. Tokgöz S, Claassen J. Exercise as Potential Therapeutic Target to Modulate Alzheimer's Disease Pathology in APOE ε4 Carriers: A Systematic Review. Cardiol Ther. 2021;10(1):67-88.
17. YM MY, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. Neuroprotective Effect of Caffeine in Alzheimer's Disease. Molecules. 2022;27(12).
18. Patrick RP. Role of phosphatidylcholine-DHA in preventing APOE4-associated Alzheimer's disease. Faseb j. 2019;33(2):1554-64.
19. Yanshree, Yu WS, Fung ML, Lee CW, Lim LW, Wong KH. The Monkey Head Mushroom and Memory Enhancement in Alzheimer's Disease. Cells. 2022;11(15).
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