Thank you for all the information. My husband and I work with all the advice you give to help with age with our physical and mental health intact! At the end of the day whether you carry the gene or not these lifestyle changes seems optimal for your entire being.
One more for wanting to hear your jet lag recovery program! I really liked your post about travel and airport eating.
I’ve had pretty decent jet lag mitigation using the recommendations from the TimeShifter app, which basically uses light and caffeine exposure before travel to get you on the destination time zone faster. For me, it works better going from Central US to Europe than it does for the reverse trip. However there is a huge ‘confound’ in that it’s also just easier to be only in charge of myself and my work on a work trip than coming home to share parenting duties after being away.
Thank you for this and all your pieces on ApoR4 status and brain health in general. For now I’m not finding out, but acting “as if” I have at least one copy for my lifestyle choices.
Hi Kelly. I like the TimeShifter approach but I didn't get great results. And I would rather not take melatonin. But I have heard from many friends that it helps traveling east but not so much going east. Glad you find the newsletter helpful!!!
Thank you for this incredibly helpful and cogent summary of the pros and cons of testing, as well as including practical steps. Appreciate your expertise, Annie. Thank you.
Hello Dr Annie! It's Jill and we met at Rancho just when you were starting this new journey. I would love to hear about how you are fighting jet lag as I sit in a hotel room in Verona trying to get in sync... lol. I am hoping that 2025 will be the year that I get to join you at one of your retreats. Thank you for your ongoing information and support. My father is close to not recognizing me and your information and honesty about your journey has helped me in so many ways. All the best! Grazie Mille!!!
Hi Jillian. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Yes, please keep reading and learning and we will reconnect someday for sure. I'd love to see you on a brain health retreat in 2025!
I unintentionally learned that I have one copy of ApoE4 allele due to testing done by a cardiologist I consulted because I felt my regular cardiologist was too vague in response to questions about preventative measures. The cardiologist I consulted with was pretty dismissive of my questions about my ApoE4 status increasing my risk of Alzheimer’s and unfortunately I received no counseling whatsoever about my ApoE4 results. Particularly since my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by that time, learning in this manner did cause extra stress and anxiety, as well as great disappointment in the preventative cardiologist’s dismissive treatment of the entire issue (never offering a referral to genetic counseling or really more than a brief statement that this just means my risk of Alzheimer’s is about 15% higher). In the long run, though, - and in no small part due to your help in addressing ApoE4 status and dementia prevention - I am glad for the extra impetus to make healthy and appropriate choices. I try to balance what sometimes feels like an extra weight on my shoulders with the fact that having this knowledge has certainly allowed me to be more proactive and committed in ways that make me feel better right now and that hopefully will also help me live as healthy as possible as I age. Many thanks addressing this issue and for the excellent information you regularly share!!
Hi Sandra. It's really terrible that you weren't supported in any way after you found out. Hopefully, that is changing. Good for you for getting the information on your own and turning it into a positive force in your life.
I have been tested and told I have the APOe3 gene. What are the consequences of that gene. My mother had Alzheimer’s and the tester stated that this is a gene you inherit from your mother.
I have one copy of ApoE4 . Knowing has made me more diligent in my self care. Reading your blog has given me inspiration to stay the course. I have hope that living the Blue Zone life I will be able to enjoy a healthy mature age.
Thank you Annie, I am grateful for you and your work. You present the data in an understandable way AND give solutions and encouragement. You are a treasure
Hi Mary. Thank you for reading, for acting on what you learn, and for taking the blue zones model to heart in your own life. You are an inspiration and i appreciate your kind words.
I used 23 and me to find out about ancestry a few years ago. I was surprised that I was a carrier of one Apo 4 gene. It has only made me more diligent in wanting to know what I need to do to keep my brain healthy. It is the reason I subscribe to your blog. Thanks for doing this important work.
I would love to hear about your recovery from jet lag. I am coming home from a hiking trip around the island of Menorca Spain. Thanks!
I am writing about it now! Have a safe trip home!
Hi Annie,
By all means, please share your new jet lag recovery approach! Thanks for so much good information about Apo4. Sally
Please share your cure for jet-lag
Thank you for all the information. My husband and I work with all the advice you give to help with age with our physical and mental health intact! At the end of the day whether you carry the gene or not these lifestyle changes seems optimal for your entire being.
Very well said, Amita. I agree 100%.
One more for wanting to hear your jet lag recovery program! I really liked your post about travel and airport eating.
I’ve had pretty decent jet lag mitigation using the recommendations from the TimeShifter app, which basically uses light and caffeine exposure before travel to get you on the destination time zone faster. For me, it works better going from Central US to Europe than it does for the reverse trip. However there is a huge ‘confound’ in that it’s also just easier to be only in charge of myself and my work on a work trip than coming home to share parenting duties after being away.
Thank you for this and all your pieces on ApoR4 status and brain health in general. For now I’m not finding out, but acting “as if” I have at least one copy for my lifestyle choices.
Hi Kelly. I like the TimeShifter approach but I didn't get great results. And I would rather not take melatonin. But I have heard from many friends that it helps traveling east but not so much going east. Glad you find the newsletter helpful!!!
Thank you for this incredibly helpful and cogent summary of the pros and cons of testing, as well as including practical steps. Appreciate your expertise, Annie. Thank you.
Thanks Genevieve! I appreciate your comment.
Hello Dr Annie! It's Jill and we met at Rancho just when you were starting this new journey. I would love to hear about how you are fighting jet lag as I sit in a hotel room in Verona trying to get in sync... lol. I am hoping that 2025 will be the year that I get to join you at one of your retreats. Thank you for your ongoing information and support. My father is close to not recognizing me and your information and honesty about your journey has helped me in so many ways. All the best! Grazie Mille!!!
Hi Jillian. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Yes, please keep reading and learning and we will reconnect someday for sure. I'd love to see you on a brain health retreat in 2025!
I unintentionally learned that I have one copy of ApoE4 allele due to testing done by a cardiologist I consulted because I felt my regular cardiologist was too vague in response to questions about preventative measures. The cardiologist I consulted with was pretty dismissive of my questions about my ApoE4 status increasing my risk of Alzheimer’s and unfortunately I received no counseling whatsoever about my ApoE4 results. Particularly since my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by that time, learning in this manner did cause extra stress and anxiety, as well as great disappointment in the preventative cardiologist’s dismissive treatment of the entire issue (never offering a referral to genetic counseling or really more than a brief statement that this just means my risk of Alzheimer’s is about 15% higher). In the long run, though, - and in no small part due to your help in addressing ApoE4 status and dementia prevention - I am glad for the extra impetus to make healthy and appropriate choices. I try to balance what sometimes feels like an extra weight on my shoulders with the fact that having this knowledge has certainly allowed me to be more proactive and committed in ways that make me feel better right now and that hopefully will also help me live as healthy as possible as I age. Many thanks addressing this issue and for the excellent information you regularly share!!
Hi Sandra. It's really terrible that you weren't supported in any way after you found out. Hopefully, that is changing. Good for you for getting the information on your own and turning it into a positive force in your life.
yes please send your new jet lag plan - very helpful thx annie
Hi Karen, will do! And I haven't forgotten about your other question. I am just really behind on my email so forgive me.
No problem - know how busy you are
Thank you
I have been tested and told I have the APOe3 gene. What are the consequences of that gene. My mother had Alzheimer’s and the tester stated that this is a gene you inherit from your mother.
Hi Jeannine. ApoE3 is neutral in its impact--it neither increases or decreases risk. You get get one type (or allele) of ApoE from each parent. If you want to learn more about that, I went into it in this post: https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com/p/what-you-need-to-know-about-apoe4
I have one copy of ApoE4 . Knowing has made me more diligent in my self care. Reading your blog has given me inspiration to stay the course. I have hope that living the Blue Zone life I will be able to enjoy a healthy mature age.
Thank you Annie, I am grateful for you and your work. You present the data in an understandable way AND give solutions and encouragement. You are a treasure
Hi Mary. Thank you for reading, for acting on what you learn, and for taking the blue zones model to heart in your own life. You are an inspiration and i appreciate your kind words.
I had that test. Spinal tap
I used 23 and me to find out about ancestry a few years ago. I was surprised that I was a carrier of one Apo 4 gene. It has only made me more diligent in wanting to know what I need to do to keep my brain healthy. It is the reason I subscribe to your blog. Thanks for doing this important work.
Thank you for being here!