Actor Chris Hemsworth shares his experience following the revelation of his increased likelihood to develop Alzheimer's, tenfold.
Chris Hemsworth, the renowned actor known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently took on a new challenge - reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The revelation came during the first season of National Geographic's Limitless: Live Better Now, where Hemsworth discovered he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, putting him eight to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer's.
Facing this genetic predisposition with fear and anxiety, Hemsworth felt uncomfortable during the initial stages of the show. However, after learning about his increased risk, he shifted his focus to living better and spending more time with his family and friends.
The second season of Limitless: Live Better Now reflects this change in mindset. Hemsworth was more involved in the orchestration and production of the show, showcasing a deeper commitment to the topics at hand.
Hemsworth emphasises several key measures to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Managing stress is crucial, as chronic stress and prolonged elevated cortisol levels harm brain health. Intermittent "good" stress (pushing oneself outside comfort zones) is beneficial, but constant "fight or flight" stress states should be avoided.
Regular physical exercise supports overall brain and cardiovascular health, which can mitigate Alzheimer's risk. Hemsworth demonstrates this through his daily workouts and active lifestyle.
A balanced diet helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure, factors linked to reducing Alzheimer's risk. Eating nutritious food is an essential aspect of Hemsworth's health-conscious approach.
Avoiding smoking and moderating alcohol are also important for overall brain health. These habits lower risks associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Hemsworth also engages the brain by learning new skills, such as playing the drums. This challenge and stimulation of the brain may help maintain cognitive function. The actor joined Ed Sheeran on stage to play Thinking Out Loud on the drums, an experience he describes as magical.
These lifestyle interventions are supported by research cited in the show and exemplified by Hemsworth’s personal shifts after his genetic revelation. They reflect an effort to live longer and live better despite genetic predisposition.
Individuals can adopt these measures to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease. After all, as Hemsworth has shown, it's never too late to start living better.
Limitless: Live Better Now is now available to stream on Disney+ from 15 August.
- Chris Hemsworth, the actor known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently shifted his focus to improving his mental health and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease, following his discovery of a genetic predisposition during National Geographic's Limitless: Live Better Now.
- In the second season of Limitless: Live Better Now, Hemsworth showcased a deeper commitment to the topics at hand, emphasizing several key measures to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, such as managing stress, practicing regular physical exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and moderating alcohol consumption.
- In addition to these lifestyle interventions, Hemsworth encourages the stimulation of the brain by learning new skills, citing his experience of playing the drums with Ed Sheeran as magical.
- Limitless: Live Better Now, now available to stream on Disney+ from 15 August, aims to inspire individuals to adopt these measures to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease, as demonstrated by Hemsworth's personal transformation after his genetic revelation.
