Thor star Chris Hemsworth confirmed in a media interview that genetic testing showed he carries a pair of APOE4 alleles, which places him in a high-risk group for Alzheimer's. Clinical research, however, does not mean he will necessarily develop Alzheimer's (dementia) in the future.
The ApoE gene may be a term you have never heard of, yet it is closely connected to dementia. The ApoE gene is a topic many people are watching and worrying about right now, but understanding the key role it plays in your life, and taking preventive steps early, is what really matters.
The ApoE gene
The ApoE gene helps the body handle fat and cholesterol. It sits in your DNA and helps transport fat and cholesterol through your bloodstream, rather like moving cargo. It also helps clear those fats so your body stays in balance — and your brain needs them for growth and repair.
Science, 1993
The different ApoE genotypes
Everyone carries the ApoE gene, but we may carry different versions of it — ApoE2, ApoE3 and ApoE4 — and the way they combine affects your health risk.
▲E2: protective, low-risk group
▲E3: the most common genotype, with no marked increase in risk
▲E4: high-risk group
ApoE genotype combinations
ApoE4 genotypes: if you carry one copy of ApoE4, your health risk is elevated, and the most widely discussed aspect is the association with Alzheimer's risk. ApoE 3/4 and ApoE 2/4 both fall into this category. The ApoE4/4 genotype: if you carry a pair of ApoE4 alleles, your risk is higher still. This is very rare — ApoE 4/4, for example. It also means you need to work harder than most to maintain your health. That said, carrying ApoE4 is not a death sentence, and the right lifestyle and dietary habits can help lower the risk.
If you happen to carry no ApoE4 at all, your risk is lower — but that does not mean you will never develop Alzheimer's. These genotypes include ApoE 3/3, ApoE 2/2 and ApoE 2/3. An inherited advantage does not entitle you to squander it.
In short, the ApoE gene plays a key role in our health, but it is not the only factor at work. A healthy lifestyle that lowers chronic inflammation in the body — staying away from inflammatory foods, reducing insulin resistance, managing chronic conditions — helps lower the risk associated with ApoE.
"Genes account for only 30% — but knowing your genes lets you take hold of your fate more effectively"
Most of these changes fall inside the "normal range" of a standard health check. Seeing them takes functional-medicine-level markers.
See which systems the 136 markers cover →Frequently asked questions
Is Alzheimer's hereditary?
There is a hereditary component, but it is not the sole determinant. The APOE e4 variant is statistically associated with increased risk; nonetheless, people who carry E4 do not necessarily develop the disease, and people without E4 still can.
What else is worth looking at besides genes?
Blood biomarkers such as p-tau217 have drawn attention in recent years, as they can reflect pathological changes in the brain before symptoms appear. Beyond that, the links between metabolic, inflammatory and cardiovascular markers and brain health are well established.
What can I do once I know my risk?
Genes will not change, but a great deal is within your control: blood sugar and insulin, levels of inflammation, cardiovascular health, sleep quality and regular exercise are all associated with long-term brain health.
Want to know what state your body is in right now?
Body Decode, 136 markers, covers 17 health categories including nutrients, metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, endocrine and detoxification, with a 60-minute consultant report review and a 120-day action plan.
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