Finding the causes and potential cures for Alzheimer's disease has become an important area of medical research. Some doctors and researchers contend that exposure to aluminum increases the risk of developing the disease, which leads to dementia. However, most scientists believe that aluminum probably is not a main cause of Alzheimer's disease but could be a minor contributing factor. As a result, some doctors and researchers advocate limiting exposure to aluminum.
Aluminum in the Brain
Autopsies of Alzheimer's patients reveal areas of abnormal plaques and tangles in their brains. Upon testing, the cells that made up the plaques and tangles were found to contain aluminum. This led some researchers to conclude that aluminum builds up in the brain and causes Alzheimer's disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, continuing research into aluminum and Alzheimer's disease has led to the conclusion that there likely is no connection between aluminum exposure and the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states in its Aluminum Toxicity Report that "we do not know for certain that aluminum causes Alzheimer's disease."
The Case for Aluminum as the Cause
Scientists who believe that aluminum causes Alzheimer's say there are several ways it could make its way into the body. Dr. John McDougall, who has studied the links between nutrition and diseases, has pointed out that some scientists found the concentration of plaque and aluminum were most dense in the area of the brain that controls smell. This led some researchers to wonder if inhaled aluminum from dust and aerosol antiperspirants might contribute to developing Alzheimer's disease. Both the CDC and McDougall note that some studies have shown that people exposed to high levels of aluminum in drinking water might be more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Some researchers also believe that humans might ingest aluminum by eating foods cooked in aluminum pots and pans, eating certain baking powders, eating food from aluminum cans and taking certain antacids.
The Case for Aluminum as the Effect
Dr. McDougall has stated that five drinking-water population studies indicated a connection between aluminum-laden water and Alzheimer's disease, but the Alzheimer's Society, which tries to improve the quality of life for people with dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the CDC both point out that other studies have failed to produce similar results. The Alzheimer's Society further states that studies conducted on people who use aluminum-containing antacids and antiperspirants showed no increased likelihood of developing the disease. Citing studies conducted on patients suffering from kidney failure, the Alzheimer's Association said no link has been established between Alzheimer's disease and individuals suffering from kidney failure. People with kidney failure are unable to cleanse their bodies of aluminum, suggesting that if there were a connection between Alzheimer's and aluminum, people with kidney failure would be more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Individual Choice
If you are concerned about aluminum causing Alzheimer's disease, there's no harm in limiting your exposure. The Earth's crust contains a high amount of aluminum, so avoiding any exposure is impossible. Dr. McDougall advises people wishing to avoid aluminum to be aware that it is found in some antacids, cosmetics, baking powders, cookware and utensils. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 99 percent of the aluminum we ingest is not absorbed by our bodies; however, aluminum absorption is increased when acidic foods, such as orange juice, are present in the digestive tract.
The Future
The CDC has concluded that aluminum probably is not the primary cause of Alzheimer's disease, but it might be a contributing factor in patients who already were at increased risk of developing the disease. Although the evidence for aluminum as a cause of Alzheimer's disease is not overwhelming, several studies noted by the CDC established a tenuous link. The CDC acknowledges that "continued monitoring of aluminum intake and neurological disease in humans is important to clarify aluminum's role in the Alzheimer's disease process." Additionally, the CDC lists aluminum's potential link to Alzheimer's disease as the subject of an ongoing study.
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