Summary
In this episode of The Drive Podcast, Dr. Hussein Yazin, an associate professor in the department of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, discusses his research on lipid metabolism and nutrition's effect on cognition and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The brain requires an abundance of lipids and cholesterol to facilitate its function of firing and transmitting signals. The brain consumes a disproportionately high amount of energy compared to its weight because of this. The discussion revolves around the role of apolipoproteins in the body, particularly apolipoprotein E (APOE), and its various roles in the body. The context discusses the association between the apoe4 gene and Alzheimer's disease. Carriers of the apoe4 gene have a substantially higher risk of developing late onset Alzheimer's disease. The context discusses the relationship between genetics, diet, and aging in individuals who carry the apoe4 gene.
Dr. Yazin also touches on the importance of consuming enough polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), specifically DHA and arachidonic acid (AAA), during development. Infants who do not receive enough PUFAs have poorer outcomes in school. However, the impact of PUFAs on brain function between the ages of 6 and 60 is not well understood. Studies have shown discrepant results regarding the impact of PUFAs on cognitive function in adults, but epidemiology studies suggest that consuming enough omega-3s is beneficial for brain health in the long term.
The discussion also includes a side tangent on the role of EPA in cardiovascular disease, the role of DHA in Alzheimer's disease, and specific things that patients with E4 can do to reduce risk. The Reduce It study was conducted to determine if high doses of EPA could mimic the EPA to arachidonic acid ratio found in certain regions in Japan and reduce cardiovascular disease. The study gave four grams of pure EPA to people with diabetes and high triglycerides who were thought to benefit the most from the intervention. The study found that those who were given four grams of EPA per day did substantially better than the placebo group.
Overall, this podcast episode provides a detailed discussion on the relationship between lipid metabolism, nutrition, genetics, and aging in individuals who carry the apoe4 gene and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The discussion also touches on the importance of consuming enough PUFAs, specifically DHA and EPA, for brain health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
