My name is Sophie, I’m 50 years old, and have recently found out that I am e3/e4. This did not come as much of a surprise, since both my father and his twin sister have been suffering from Alzheimer’s for many years, as was my grandmother at least 10 years before she died. They all have suffered from high blood pressure as well, which I understand can also be related to Apoe4. I have two cousins already on blood pressure medication : one is my age and the other is 10 years younger. Could this gene variant explain this as well ?
I always suspected there was a genetic factor involved where my family is concerned, but all the information I came across mentioned genetic factors in only the early onset type. I found out about Apoe4 only a few months ago when I was looking into early detection of the disease for myself. I had one of those “ah-ha!” moments. I did not hesitate to order the test, and waiting for the results was pure torture. But I consider myself lucky in a sense that I only have the one e4. Through reading your stories, I see that many people in this community are e4/e4, which must be a heavy load to bear.
I have been my father’s natural caregiver for the last 5 years, and so have seen first hand how terrible this disease can be; how it completely upends your life at a time in life when you should be free to enjoy it, and how the person becomes just a shadow of what they once were. I wish I knew at the beginning of his illness what I know now, about possible ways to reverse the symptoms. I feel like I have already lost my father, and do not want my kids to have to face a similar situation with me. I am also thinking about how I may have passed this variant onto them as well
After reading Dr. Bredesen’s book, I was left with more questions than answers about how to eat, and so have had to turn to other resources to really understand the Keto diet. I recently discovered Liz MacDowell, and I love her flexible and intuitive approach. I just ordered her most recent cookbook : Plant Forward Keto. I’m eager to get myself on the right path, but there’s so much to implement that I realize it cannot all be done at once. I am gradually getting into counting carbs, fasting and monitoring my ketone levels. I am fairly active already; I enjoy yoga, cycling, yoga, and have an elliptical machine for rainy days.
It has been such a comfort to me to find this online community! I am so grateful to be a part of it. It will take me a while to read all your stories, but I look forward to it. I am presently reading through the primer, which is so well laid out (thank-you!). I may finally be able to clearly explain to those around me why I am changing the way I eat; avoiding sugar and too many carbs, and fasting
I will eventually post some specific questions in the forum, but for now here are the subjects I am interested in finding out more about. If anyone has particular knowledge in these areas, please let me know!
- Meat free / dairy free keto (so far a challenge, when I manage to stay below my carb limit, I see I am too low on other macros : fat and protein).
- The most important blood tests to ask for (I have a doctor’s appointment next week, and there is no way I am handing them Dr. Bredesen’s list!)
- What are the best tools for carb counting out there? (for example, free apps)
Sophie
