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3 Overlooked Risk Factors For Alzheimer's

3 Overlooked Risk Factors For Alzheimer's

That most people aren't aware of.

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Katelin
Jun 23, 2025
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3 Overlooked Risk Factors For Alzheimer's
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While age is often considered the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, especially over the age of 65, it’s certainly not a guarantee and shouldn’t be something that’s considered a “normal” part of aging.

Our brains can remain healthy and functional throughout our lifetime, and there are plenty of centenarians around the world who are proof of this.

The truth is, age isn’t the root cause of what leads to Alzheimer’s disease.

If this were the case, we wouldn’t be seeing the huge rise in cases of early-onset dementia (under 65), especially over the last couple of decades.

Before 1990, Alzheimer’s was almost exclusively seen in people over 65. However, from 1990-2021, dementia among people under 65 years has increased by 210%, from 1.8 million in 1990 to 3.8 million in 2021.

The largest spike has occurred more recently, from 2013-2017, according to data from Blue Cross Blue Shield, reporting that early onset dementia has risen by 373% among 30-44 year-olds, 311% among 45-54 year-olds, and 143% among 55-64 year-olds during this timeframe.

So what’s leading to the rising numbers of Alzheimer’s disease (and especially early-onset Alzheimer’s)?

As stated by neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen in his book The End of Alzheimer’s, “Alzheimer’s disease is what happens when the brain tries to protect itself” from various threats or insults.

By understanding what these “brain threats” or risk factors are, you’re able to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle to increase your odds of living a life free from cognitive decline.

Today we’re going to look at 3 overlooked risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease that have also been on the rise during the last few decades and are contributing to the increased rates of dementia.

The good news is that each of these risk factors is modifiable, meaning you have control over them through diet and lifestyle to ultimately reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

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