Aluminum: Is There A Link To Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common brain disorder that affects one’s mental ability to perform ordinary functions in daily life (dementia). It affects about five million people, and is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. The disease is associated with aging, and the risk of acquiring the disease significantly increases after the age of 70. However, although it is becoming more common, with about half of all people aged 85 and above being affected, it is not a normal part of aging.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Alzheimer’s Disease

She died of an unknown mental illness. He found unusual clumps, which are now known as amyloid plaques. Also, there were tangles of nerve fiber bundles (neurofibrillary tangles) in her brain. These are now recognized as the two main characteristics found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. A third important change is the lack of connection between nerve cells in the brain. But what causes these changes are still unclear.

What research shows is that aging is the biggest factor that increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Although a few people develop the condition prematurely (before age 65), most people double their risk every 5.5 years after the age of 65. Women are more likely to get it, with about two-thirds of patients being female. Genetics and family history of the disease have been considered, but not everyone who has genes or family backgrounds related to the disease develop it. Since there is yet no cure for Alzheimer’s, genetic testing is not advised.

Other factors that have been linked to Alzheimer’s include history of head trauma, cardiovascular disease, and limited formal education. Other medical conditions have also been implicated, such as Down’s syndrome, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and stroke. Still, some researchers believe that environmental toxins may have something to do with the changes that affect the brain.

Aluminum And Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the substances that has been blamed for the increase in number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease is aluminum, a natural metal that is commonly used in everyday life. Aluminum is found in cookware, drinking water, some food products, medicines, and cosmetic products such as antiperspirant deodorants. Some studies have suggested that people who use these aluminum-containing products are more likely to get Alzheimer’s, but a direct link has not been found. Therefore, some experts have dismissed claims that exposure to aluminum is a risk factor for the disease.

See Also: Active Brain Keeps Dementia Away

Studies in rats also show that those fed with aluminum added to their standard diet had a significant increase in aluminum in the brain compared to those who did not receive the metal. Other studies also reveal that aluminum easily be absorbed in the skin. So, for some scientists, the controversy regarding the role of aluminum in Alzheimer’s disease is yet unresolved and deserves more research to establish more solid evidence.

The Role Of Environmental Toxins In Development Of Alzheimer's Disease

The role of environmental toxins in many chronic medical conditions is currently under investigation. Many chemicals, including heavy metals and other earth elements are now being studied for their effects in the human body, and some have been linked to brain disorders, congenital malformations, and even cancer. Furthermore, there are many chronic conditions whose causes are still undetermined, and scientists continue to look into how environmental factors interact with genetics and lifestyle factors in the development of certain diseases.

Aluminum Toxicity

Aluminum is a naturally occurring substance that makes up about 8% of the earth’s surface.

Everyone is therefore exposed to varying levels of aluminum from air, water, food, medicines, cosmetic products, and other things, such as cooking utensils, food containers, appliances, paints, rubber, glass, ceramics, and other building materials.

Some scientists have hypothesized that the aluminum can slowly, but progressively accumulate in the brain, which can reach functionally toxic levels, and become one of the factors that may induce dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Human exposure to aluminum is common and unavoidable, although our intake is relatively low because it is highly insoluble. Less than one percent of aluminum that is orally taken into the body is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and the average intake is estimated to be about 30 to 50 mg per day. Animal and human studies, on the other hand, show that the absorption of aluminum through the skin may be greater than oral ingestion. One study found that aluminum may still be present in the blood 15 days after application of the substance to the skin of the armpit. Short term symptoms of aluminum toxicity include headaches, learning difficulty, memory loss, loss of coordination, mental confusion, disorientation, flatulence, colic, and heartburn.

Since Alzheimer’s is a chronic disease that takes a long time to develop, long-term exposure to aluminum from water, food and skin products has been suspected as one of the possible factors that contribute to its occurrence in many people. 

Should we be scared that we are exposed to aluminum daily and that it may lead to dementia? It has been long been thought that the accumulation of aluminum in the brain may cause neurological disorders. However, there is still no solid evidence that it directly causes brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is important for us to be aware that there are many chemicals, natural or synthetic, that we use daily, which may have negative effects on our health.

See Also: Alzheimer's Disease - What Is On The Horizon For This Debilitating Disorder?

We must vigilantly increase our awareness about the studies being conducted about them, instead of being complacent with our daily exposure to these. After all, many chronic diseases that cannot be explained by current scientific knowledge on genetic factors now afflict people. They could be the result of mutations in genes induced by environmental factors.