Can We “Beat” Alzheimer’s Genes? (Stunning New Research)
There’s an old saying that you “can’t outrun your genetics.”
And I have to admit… I hate it.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that our genes are our fate. The second some test shows you’re at heightened risk for cancer or Alzheimer’s, you’re just supposed to sit around and wait for the inevitable to happen.
Nonsense.
Contrary to what you’ve been told, you can indeed outrun your genetics.
In fact, recent research is pointing to a simple way to keep dozens of genes linked to Alzheimer’s in check.
And the best part? You can get started right away.
I’ll be really honest with you about what we know… and what we don’t.
The first thing to understand is that your genes are not a life sentence – or a death sentence.
Even if you’re genetically predisposed to a disease, you still need something to activate those genes.
That’s why some people with the APOE4 gene never get Alzheimer’s… or some women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes don’t develop breast cancer.
We know that triggers like inflammation, lifestyle, diet, toxins, and stress can cause some of these disease-linked genes to express.
Do we understand all of the triggers for all of these genes? No.
But we’re learning a lot more about Alzheimer’s-related genes in particular.
And it looks like the secret to keeping this terrible disease out of your life may be focusing on keeping a healthy circadian rhythm.
You’ve heard me talk about your circadian rhythm – your body’s natural sleep/wake cycle – plenty of times before. And you know it’s responsible for countless processes in your body that keep you healthy.
Research from the Washington University School of Medicine has found that there are about 82 different genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk – and about half of those genes are being controlled by your circadian rhythm.
So could a healthy circadian rhythm really influence who gets Alzheimer’s… and who doesn’t?
The science is certainly pointing in that direction.
Multiple studies have now shown that circadian disruptions can increase deposits of amyloid brain plaques that are linked to Alzheimer’s. And we’ve known for ages that poor sleep is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
There’s no doubt in my mind that addressing your circadian health is one of the most important and effective ways to protect your brain – and maybe even “beat” those Alzheimer’s genes.
Getting started is easy.
First, get sunlight in your eyes first thing every morning. You don’t need to look directly into the sun – just keep it in your peripheral vision.
This helps set your circadian rhythm for the day.
Next, avoid artificial blue light from TVs, laptops, and cell phones at night. Your body mistakes this light for sunlight, which can interfere with your melatonin levels. If you need to use screens at night, wear blue-light-blocking glasses (like I do).
Just taking these simple steps every day can go a long way toward keeping your circadian rhythm healthy – and maybe even keeping those Alzheimer’s genes quiet.
View Sources
Eckhardt, J. L., Isenberg, L., Aslanyan, V., Monreal, T., Stradford, J., Fenton, L., Contreras, J. A., Mack, W. J., & Pa, J. (2025). Circadian rhythms are associated with higher amyloid-β and tau and poorer cognition in older adults. Brain Communications, 7(5), fcaf322. https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf322
Ho, P. T. N., Hoepel, S. J. W., Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Luik, A. I., Vernooij, M. W., & Neitzel, J., et al. (2024). Sleep, 24-Hour activity rhythms, and subsequent amyloid-β pathology. JAMA Neurology, 81(8), 824–834. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.1755
Nield, D. (2025, November 11). Alzheimer’s may hijack your cells’ clocks, hinting at new treatments. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/alzheimers-may-hijack-your-cells-clocks-hinting-at-new-treatments
