Why Does Brain Aging Differ for Everyone?
You probably didn’t know that our brains age as uniquely as our fingerprints. Some people experience subtle changes they have, while others have significant cognitive decline. That’s why brain aging, like everything else in the body, happens to some people faster than to others; and why we need to know what to do about it.
First, consider genetics. Our genes are like blueprints for the body and really shape how our brains age. Some inherit genes that make their brains more resistant to disease while others have genes that make them more susceptible to cognitive decline. For example you have the APOE4 gene, which is a very prominent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. If you have one copy of the APOE4 gene, you are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease; if you have two, you are much more likely. Such as the amyloid plaques and tau tangles that can result in such harmful buildups, this gene affects how brain cells use and manage lipids. In fact, approximately 25 percent of people have one APOE4 copy and only about 3 percent carry two.
Genes aren’t the whole story, though. In addition lifestyle factors also play a part in brain health. That is why what we eat, how much we exercise, and how well we sleep can make all the difference. Keeping our brains sharp is helped by eating a balanced diet, getting regular physical activity and good…
