David PerlmutterPresident,, Perlmutter Health Center · Board-Certified Neurologist | Functional Medicine Pioneer | #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author | International Speaker | Host of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

Is Alzheimer's Disease Hereditary?

31 Jul 2013 · 1 min

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In this segment, Dr. David Perlmutter explains that while there is a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions, the emerging field of epigenetics shows that lifestyle choices can modify gene expression. He emphasizes that diet, exercise, and sleep can alter DNA activity, thereby significantly reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The core message is that the most powerful medicine may be the foods we eat and the lifestyle we adopt.

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There's no question that we have identified some genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's and really other neurologic conditions as well. But here's what really is exciting. These days we're identifying a science called epigenetics, and that means that while we might inherit the predisposition to a disease like Alzheimer's, we can do things today to change our genetic expression. Epigenetics is the science that leads us to understand how our lifestyle choices can change our very DNA, and this is very, very empowering. Our dietary choices, our lifestyle choices, including exercise and sleep, can change the expression of our DNA, and this leads us to a situation where we can absolutely reduce our risk for Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. So again, the most powerful medicine of all may very well be the foods we eat and the lifestyle that we choose.