It’s a misconception that Alzheimer’s is a natural part of ageing …

Have you wondered what risk factors could potentially increase the chance of developing Alzheimer’s? I’m sure you have, as I get asked this question all the time, once people know my research area is Alzheimer’s disease!

While we know there are certain genes that may increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s, we also know that positive lifestyle choices may help reduce the risk. Although we can’t change our genes, we can potentially change they way they are expressed through our lifestyle choices. We should be making sure we get enough cardiovascular exercise, maintain a normal blood pressure, and try to eat a Mediterranean-style diet rich in antioxidants and good fats, for example.

I’ve listed the main known contenders below that have been scientifically identified to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Explore each risk factor to learn more about the science and how you can potentially influence these factors to reduce your own risk. Risk management is after all about identifying risk and then developing strategies to reduce it. As the old proverb goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’.