Women & Alzheimer's: Risk Factors & Prevention - Ask a Nutritionist

Dishing Up Nutrition

Nutritional Weight & Wellness, Inc.

Nutrition, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness, Education, Health & Fitness:nutrition

4 • 818 Ratings

🗓️ 10 July 2025

⏱️ 15 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of Ask a Nutritionist, Britni Vincent, RD, unpacks the science behind women’s increased risk for Alzheimer’s. She explores the role of estrogen, blood sugar, inflammation, gut health, and even common foods and oils that could either protect or harm the brain. You’ll walk away with realistic, food-first strategies to support your brain - from coconut oil and leafy greens to cutting sugar and caring for your gut. If Alzheimer's runs in your family, or you're just serious about prevention, this is a must-listen.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Dishing Up Nutrition's midweek segment called Ask a Nutritionist. My name is Brittany Vincent,
0:16.5	and I am a registered and licensed dietitian at Nutritional and Weight and Wellness.
0:20.9	And on today's show, I am going to be touching on a topic that I know hits close to home for so many of us.
0:29.5	And that topic is Alzheimer's disease.
0:32.2	I frequently get asked about Alzheimer's disease and what people can do to prevent it from happening to
0:38.8	themselves. And with rates continuing to rise, I know many of us have watched a loved one
0:45.7	slowly lose parts of themselves. And I know firsthand that this is incredibly heartbreaking to witness.
0:54.3	You know, often I hear from my clients, I'll do whatever I take with my diet if it helps me to
1:00.9	prevent Alzheimer's. And honestly, I do believe that nutrition and lifestyle can make a huge
1:08.4	difference. So let's talk about what the science is showing and what actions that you can start to take today.
1:15.9	Before I dive into some actionable items, I want to provide some facts for you all. As of 2024, near the 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and by 2060, that number is
1:32.1	expected to double to 14 million. Currently, one in three seniors die with Alzheimer's or another
1:41.6	form of dementia. So this is becoming a huge concern for our country.
1:49.6	And it's no wonder that so many people want to know more about what they can do for prevention.
1:59.1	Women account for nearly two-thirds of all Alzheimer's cases, and you might be
2:04.5	wondering why that is. Yes, it is true. Women do live longer, but it's really not just about age.
2:11.9	Estrogen, especially a specific form of estrogen called the estradiol protects the brain, particularly the hippocampus,
2:21.3	which is our memory center. And during perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels plummet specifically
2:28.2	this estradiol. And that might be contributing to accelerated brain aging.
2:36.0	Women are also more likely to experience depression, which is a known risk factor.
2:42.5	Often they take on caregiving roles, which may increase chronic stress, and women are more likely to carry the APOE4 gene, which is connected to Alzheimer's
2:53.3	disease. So clearly, hormones and lifestyle can intersect in a big way here. And the reality is,
	...

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