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heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors#:~:text=The%20risk%20of%20developing%20Alzheimer's,treat%20any%20problems%20that%20arise.

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Researchers believe there is not a single cause of Alzheimer's disease. It likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment. Scientists have identified factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer's. While some risk factors - age, family history and heredity - can't be changed, emerging evidence suggests there may be other factors we can influence.

Age

The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's and other dementias is increasing age, but these disorders are not a normal part of aging. While age increases risk, it is not a direct cause of Alzheimer's.

Most individuals with the disease are 65 and older. After age 65, the risk of Alzheimer's doubles every five years. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly one-third.

Learn more: 10 Signs of Alzheimer's, Diagnosis, Visiting Your Doctor

Family history

Another strong risk factor is family history. Those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer's are more likely to develop the disease. The risk increases if more than one family member has the illness. When diseases tend to run in families, either heredity (genetics), environmental factors, or both, may play a role.

Learn More: What Does Alzheimer's Do to the Brain?

Aluminum not a cause

During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in causing Alzheimer's disease. This suspicion led to concerns about everyday exposure to aluminum through sources such as cooking pots, foil, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer's. Almost all scientists today focus on other areas of research, and few experts believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat.

Genetics (heredity)

Scientists know genes are involved in Alzheimer's. Two categories of genes influence whether a person develops a disease: risk genes and deterministic genes. Alzheimer's genes have been found in both categories. It is estimated that less than 1% of Alzheimer's cases are caused by deterministic genes (genes that cause a disease, rather than increase the risk of developing a disease).

Learn more: Genetics and Alzheimer's

Other risk factors you may be able to influence

While age, family history and heredity are all risk factors we can't change, research is beginning to reveal clues about other risk factors we may be able to influence through general lifestyle and wellness choices and effective management of other health conditions.

Head injury: There is a link between head injury and future risk of dementia. Protect your brain by buckling your seat belt, wearing your helmet when participating in sports, and "fall-proofing" your home. Learn more about traumatic brain injury.

Heart-head connection: Some of the strongest evidence links brain health to heart health. This connection makes sense, because the brain is nourished by one of the body's richest networks of blood vessels, and the heart is responsible for pumping blood through these blood vessels to the brain.

The risk of developing Alzheimer's or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels. These include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Work with your doctor to monitor your heart health and treat any problems that arise.

Studies of donated brain tissue provide additional evidence for the heart-head connection. These studies suggest that plaques and tangles are more likely to cause Alzheimer's symptoms if strokes or damage to the brain's blood vessels are also present.

Overall healthy aging: One promising line of research suggests that strategies for overall healthy aging may help keep the brain healthy and may even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other dementias. These measures include eating a healthy diet, staying socially active, avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol, and exercising both the body and mind.

Learn more: Can Alzheimer's Be Prevented?

Latinos and African-Americans at risk

Research shows that older Latinos are about one-and-a-half times as likely as older whites to have Alzheimer's and other dementias, while older African-Americans are about twice as likely to have the disease as older whites. The reason for these differences is not well understood, but researchers believe that higher rates of vascular disease in these groups may also put them at greater risk for developing Alzheimer's.

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Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease

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Researchers believe there is not a single cause of Alzheimer's disease. It likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment. Scientists have identified factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer's. While some risk factors - age, family history and heredity - can't be changed, emerging evidence suggests there may be other factors we can influence.

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percentage of how many people have this mental illness 

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percentage of how many people have this mental illness 

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us-11.3%
world wide-44 million people
https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/alzheimers-disease-statistics/#:~:text=Prevalence,a%20related%20form%20of%20dementia.

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There is a rapid growth in the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease, and only around one in four people with the disease get diagnosed.

It is estimated that there are approximately 44 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia. In the U.S., an estimated 5.5 million people of all ages have Alzheimer's disease. Of these, around 5.3 million are 65 and older and 200,000 are younger and have early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

About two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's disease are women. This equals to 3.3 million women, age 65 and older having Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. and two million men.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia are most common in Western Europe (with North America close behind) and least common in Sub-Saharan Africa. African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia as whites. Hispanics are about 1.5 times as likely to have Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia as whites.

Reports from the National Institute on Aging indicate that the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease doubles every five years beyond the age of 65. As the population ages, the disease impacts a greater percentage of people. At present, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's disease every 66 seconds. It is thought that by the middle of the century, someone in the U.S. will develop the disease every 33 seconds and the total number of people with Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. could rise to as high as 16 million people by 2050.

Mortality

Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. killing more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer's disease have increased by 89 percent while those from heart disease have decreased. Alzheimer's disease is the fifth-leading cause of death among those aged 65 and older and a leading cause of disability and poor health. Typical life expectancy after an Alzheimer's diagnosis is four to eight years.

Caregivers

It is estimated that one to four family members act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer's disease. In 2016, 15.9 million family and friends provided 18.2 billion hours of unpaid assistance to those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the U.S., a contribution to the nation valued at $230.1 billion.

Compared to caregivers of people without dementia, caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease indicate substantial emotional, financial, and physical difficulties. About 35 percent of caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia report that their health has gotten worse due to care responsibilities.

Economic impact

The costs of health care and long-term care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia are substantial. The global cost of Alzheimer's disease and dementia is estimated to be $605 billion, which is equivalent to one percent of the entire world's gross domestic product.

In the U.S., total payments in 2017 for all individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia are estimated to be around $259 billion, with $175 billion covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Out-of-pocket spending is estimated to be $56 billion. By 2050, Alzheimer's disease could cost the U.S. as much as $1.1 trillion.
Note: Alzheimer's News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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Prevalence There is a rapid growth in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease, and only around one in four people with the disease get diagnosed. It is estimated that there are approximately 44 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia...

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physical exercise
| improves cardiovascular health  | injury
medication
| improves mental function  | may not work
coconut oil
| produces fat  | energy for the brain can be too much
coral calcium
| form calcium  | they are aware of no competent and reliable scientific evidence supporting the exaggerated health claims and that such unsupported claims are unlawful.
ginkgo biloba
| anti inflammatory  | no statistical difference in rates of dementia or Alzheimer's disease between the ginkgo and placebo groups
_https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/alternative-treatments

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genetics

lifestyle and environmental factors that affect your brain over time

and old age

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

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Alzheimer’s disease - Symptoms and causes

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Understand more about this brain disorder that’s the most common cause of dementia. Also learn about new tests and medicines on the market.

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-increase in memory loss
-inability to learn new things
-problems coping with new situations
-shortened attention span

-difficulty organizing thoughts
-difficulty with language
-difficulty reading
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease_