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Newcomer introductions, personal anecdotes, caregiver issues, lab results, and n=1 experimentation.
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AnnK
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Hello

Post by AnnK »

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for the great community...I can't thank you enough for creating such a valuable resource! Since I'm new here, I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself. I'm a 63 year old, female, ApoE3/4, retired Clinical Research Specialist/MBA with no known health issues and no family history of Alzheimer's. I have an 85 year old very active Mother who is also an ApoE3/4 and cognitively intact.

As a side note, after DNA testing through 23andme, I interpreted our raw data and determined our ApoE status. When I started analyzing our raw data, I had a heart-to-heart with my Mother and asked her if she wanted me to tell her "the good with the bad" and she said "yes". After I told her about our ApoE status she asked me, "is it guaranteed that I'll get AD", and I told her that it is a risk factor and that very few genes are fully penetrant. She told me she's not going to worry about it then.

With our similar, yet often divergent, genetics, I think my Mother and I would be an interesting N=2. Here are a few snps for comparison. For the CETP gene snp, I have rs5882 AG (TC 157, TG 56, HDL 58, LDL 91) and my Mother has rs5882 AA (TC 240, HDL 55). We are both AA for the TOMM40 gene snp rs2075650 and are in the K1A1 haplogroup. We do not have the C677T gene mutation; and are both at increased risk for celiac disease per 23andme, but have never had any issues.

I've tried to maintain a healthy BMI, active lifestyle, and low-glycemic diet eating real food -- kefir, grass fed butter, EVOO, organic pastured eggs, nuts, dark chocolate, beans, sprouted bread or whole grains, fruits, veggies, hormone free/antibiotic free meats and poultry. I also try to "fast" for 12 hours every day and make sleep [in a black out environment] a priority. In all honesty, I do have an occasional beer or glass of wine, piece of pizza -- thin crust of course, or sweet treat. My avoid list includes high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, processed vegetable oils, trans fats, fried foods, nitrates/nitrites, processed foods, artificial colorings/dyes, or anything else I can't pronounce.

I'm an enthusiastic fan of Dr. Chris Masterjohn, and have been following his work on Vitamin K2 for a few years. Ever since he mentioned that he carries one ApoE4 allele in a podcast, I've considered him a kindred spirit. Inspired by the plethora of information in this community, I'm creating a "must read" list now from the forums here. Many, many thanks for the fantastic learning environment. Kudos to everyone...I can't thank everyone enough for all of their dedication and hard work!

With gratitude,
AnnK
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Jan
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Re: Hello

Post by Jan »

Welcome, AnnK! You're new to our forum but, wow, you're a lot like us already. :-) With so many N=1 discussions on the site, I'm intrigued by your N=2 idea. Sounds like a wonderful adjunctive direction for us to consider.

I have to say, I'm just inspired by you. Welcome!
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Cas
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Re: Hello

Post by Cas »

Hi AnnK and welcome to the site. You and your mother sound really inspirational and like you’re already following a lot of healthy lifestyle steps. You may have already seen it but can I point you to the primer written by one of our members (viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1418), it contains a wealth of really useful information so a definite must read!
Enjoy the forum discussions and I’m sure you will find many more kindred spirits here too.

Take care
Catherine
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AnnK
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Re: Hello

Post by AnnK »

Hi Jan & Catherine!

Thanks for the warm welcome! I'll add the primer to my "must read" list. Most of the healthy lifestyle steps I've taken over the years were driven by a strong family history of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes on my paternal side, none on my maternal side. Type 1 diabetics in my family were my father (had it for 40+ years - passed away after falling down the basement steps at 75) sister (has had it 51 years and counting), grandmother, great grandmother, and most likely great-great grandmother.

For those interested in genetics, my father was the only Type 1 out of 15 children, but multiple aunts and uncles on my paternal side are/were Type 2, with many of them living into their mid to late 80's. Out of 69 offspring on my paternal side, only 2 were Type 1 diabetics.

Looking into my AD risk crystal ball, I see a renewed focus on insulin resistance :o)

Take care and thanks again!
AnnK
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Jan
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Re: Hello

Post by Jan »

AnnK wrote:Hi Jan & Catherine!
Looking into my AD risk crystal ball, I see a renewed focus on insulin resistance :o)

Take care and thanks again!
AnnK
Good advice for everybody, I'd say!
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IFM/Bredesen Reversing Cognitive Decline training 2017
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ZenGinner
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Re: Hello

Post by ZenGinner »

Welcome! Nice to have another bright mind in the group!
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AnnK
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Re: Hello

Post by AnnK »

Thanks for the warm welcome, ZenGinner!
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