Scientists have known for decades that there is a link between aluminium and Alzheimer’s disease. However, without direct evidence to confirm their theory, there hasn’t been any consensus regarding the connection, until now.
They found that patients who have Alzheimer’s have high amounts of aluminium in their brain
According to Professor Chris Exley, from Keele University in the UK, conducted a study and tested the brain tissues of 12 donors suffering from Alzheimer’s, and found that they all had elevated levels of aluminium in their brain tissue.
He writes, “We already know that the aluminium content of brain tissue in late-onset or sporadic Alzheimer’s disease is significantly higher than is found in age-matched controls.”
“So, individuals who develop Alzheimer’s disease in their late sixties and older also accumulate more aluminium in their brain tissue than individuals of the same age without the disease.”
“In my view, the findings are unequivocal in their confirmation of a role for aluminium in some if not all Alzheimer’s disease.”
“Aging is the main risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and aluminium accumulates in human brain tissue with aging.”
Even if there is a connection, there are also other factors
In spite of his team’s findings, Prof. Exley still believes that a number of other factors contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, not just elevated levels of aluminium.
These factors can include genetic factors since some people are genetically predisposed with having a higher risk of acquiring the disease.
He adds, “At the very least, these new results should encourage everyone and even those who have steadfastly maintained that aluminium has no role in the disease to think again.”
“I don’t believe that is the only factor, but I think it is an important one which should be considered very seriously.”
His findings have been published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology.
Go to the next page to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with a person’s memory, thinking, and behavior. The various symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease usually start slow, and become worse over time.
While age is the number 1 risk when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s is actually not a normal part of aging. While people aged 65 and above are the most at risk when it comes to the disease, people have been known to have early onset Alzheimer’s which usually appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.
Sadly, there is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s a progressive disease, which means that it gets worse over time. This is why caring for patients who are suffering from the disease is very important as it can vastly improve their quality of life.
In spite of this, researchers are constantly looking for a cure, or at the very least, a means of slowing down the effects of this debilitating disease.
READ: Can coconut oil help with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Sources: dailymail.co.uk, hippocraticpost.com, nzherald.co.nz, alz.org
Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!