“Thor” with Alzheimer’s? Actor Chris Hemsworth pauses his career after discovering he’s at risk of Alzheimer’s.

Actor Chris Hemsworth, famous for playing the character Thor in the Marvel Universe, took many fans by surprise after announcing a break from his career due to a high risk of developing Alzheimer's. 

The result came after the actor underwent DNA testing and discovered that he has two copies of the ApoE4 gene, increasing the chances of developing this disease tenfold. This condition is so rare that it affects only 2% of the world's population.

“Não é como se eu tivesse apresentado um pedido de demissão. Se você olhar para a prevenção do Alzheimer, o benefício das medidas preventivas é que elas afetam o resto da sua vida. É tudo sobre controle do sono, do estresse, nutrição, movimento, condicionamento físico”.

Chris Hemsworth

He explained that he only chose to slow down, as the result triggered something internally, and that from now on he will implement preventive measures to avoid developing Alzheimer's.

Currently, the actor does not have any signs or symptoms, only that there is a high risk of developing it, if it is not treated early, as symptoms generally appear after the age of 65.

Chris discovered this condition during the filming of the series. Limitles. During one episode, DNA tests were carried out, which confirmed the results. 

The series' proposal is for the actor to receive the results about his health in front of the cameras.

Porém, ao descobrir esse resultado “sensível”, os diretores da série propuseram retirar a menção sobre a predisposição ao Alzheimer, mas o ator  optou pela divulgação para conscientizar sobre a doença.

“Eles pegaram todos os meus exames de sangue e fizeram vários testes e o plano era me contar todos os resultados na câmera e depois falar sobre como você pode melhorar isso e aquilo. E Peter Attia , que é o médico da longevidade naquele episódio, ligou para o criador do programa e disse: “Não quero contar isso a ele diante das câmeras. Precisamos ter uma conversa paralela e ver se ele quer mesmo que isso esteja no show. Foi muito chocante porque ele me ligou e me contou.  Desliguei o telefone e meus pais estavam lá, na hora. Eles ficaram tipo, “O que foi aquilo? Eu estava tipo, “Eu deveria estar preocupado? Isso é preocupante?”

Chris Hemsworth

Another worrying fact is the family history, as Hemsworth's grandfather already has Alzheimer's. 

The actor will take a break from his career to focus on early treatment, but that doesn't mean that this break will be permanent. Fans will still be able to watch the actor's performance in films that have already been filmed and will be released, such as the film Furiosa, scheduled to premiere in June 2023. In addition to the second season of Limitless.

“Minha preocupação vinha do fato de que eu simplesmente não queria alterar ou dramatizar demais (o resultado), transformando em algum tipo de ferramenta piegas de empatia ou qualquer outra coisa formatada para o entretenimento”

Chris Hemsworth

It is known that the APOE protein helps transport cholesterol and other types of fat in the blood, but it is not clear how APOE4 increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's. The APOE2 and APOE3 alleles do not pose the same high risk as that found in the actor. 

The WHO (World Health Organization) reports that approximately 55 million people suffer from some type of dementia. Annual diagnosis shows 10 million new cases, estimating 60 to 70% corresponding to Alzheimer's.

Here at Tenho Saúde, we've already talked about green tea, there are studies that report that consumption can prevent the development of Alzheimer's, in addition to increasing memory, protecting the brain and body from other types of disease. Check it out:

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Source: Vanity Fair, NIH, Oops, Canaltech and BBC.