The Surprising Benefits of the APOE4, Alzheimer's, Gene

By Christy Sutton, D.C.

When most people hear about the APOE4 gene, they immediately think of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s true — carrying one or two copies of APOE4 increases your lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

But that’s not the whole story. In fact, APOE4 was preserved through evolution because it once provided life-saving advantages. This ancient gene helped early humans survive infections, childbirth, and harsh conditions, and even boosted brain development and intelligence in youth.

Interesting Statistics

If the APOE4 gene weren’t helpful in some way, it would never have survived in such a large percentage of the global population. Its continued presence suggests it once offered real survival advantages — particularly in areas of brain development, immunity, and infection resistance.

Globally: The APOE4 allele makes up about 13–14% of all APOE genes in the world’s population. [PMC, 2017]
United States: Approximately 20–30% of Americans carry at least one copy of APOE4 (either one or two copies). [Alzheimer’s Association; BioMed Central]
Two copies (homozygous APOE4): About 2% of the U.S. population carries two APOE4 alleles, which greatly amplifies both the potential benefits and the risks. [Alzheimer’s Association]

These numbers remind us that APOE4 is not a “mistake” in evolution — it’s a legacy gene, once protective, now challenging us to adapt through lifestyle, nutrition, and early prevention.

1. The APOE4 Advantage: Smarter Youth Through DHA Efficiency

One of the most fascinating benefits of APOE4 lies in how it affects DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) — the omega-3 fatty acid that builds brain structure and fuels neural communication.

Studies show that young APOE4 carriers absorb and retain DHA more effectively than non-carriers [1]. This means their developing brains may have higher DHA content, supporting enhanced learning, memory, and cognitive performance during childhood and early adulthood [2].

However, as APOE4 carriers age, their brains lose efficiency in DHA transport [3]. This is when supplementation becomes critical. A high-quality DHA supplement can help maintain optimal brain levels and protect against age-related cognitive decline.

Tip: If you have APOE4, consider adding DHA and other anti-inflammatory nutrients early — before symptoms ever appear.

2. Natural Protection Against Infection and Childbirth Mortality

The APOE4 gene doesn’t just influence the brain — it also strengthens the immune system. Carriers of this gene have been found to be less likely to die from infectious diseases, including those associated with childbirth or early childhood [4].

The gene enhances innate immune system activity, allowing for a faster, more powerful response to pathogens [5]. In pre-modern environments, where infections were common and deadly, this immune advantage meant survival — and successful reproduction.

This protective trait explains why APOE4 remains common in certain populations around the world, especially in regions historically exposed to high infectious pressures.

3. Why Evolution Kept APOE4, The Alzheimer's Gene, Around

Evolution doesn’t care what happens in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond. It selects genes that help you survive long enough to become pregnant, survive childbirth, and give birth the healthy children.

The APOE4 variant gave our ancestors:

Stronger immune defenses against infections
Better cognitive function in youth
Improved survival during pregnancy and childhood

Those advantages far outweighed the health problems that appear decades later [6]. That’s why APOE4 — despite its later-life risks — remains part of our genetic heritage today.

4. The Downside: Alzheimer’s and Aging Brains

In modern times, with longer lifespans, APOE4’s early-life benefits come with trade-offs. The same traits that helped survival in youth now increase inflammation, impair brain lipid transport, and accelerate aging in the brain [7].

This can lead to:

Higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Greater sensitivity to head injury and toxins (I will be discussing this in great detail in my upcoming Concussion Workshop, where I explain how genes like APOE4, trauma, and inflammation interact to affect brain recovery and long-term cognitive health.)
More inflammation-driven neurological decline

But the good news is that APOE4 is not destiny. Research shows that lifestyle and nutrition can dramatically reduce risk [8].

Eat DHA-rich foods (like wild salmon or algae oil)
Avoid trans fats and refined sugars
Stay physically active
Keep blood sugar, iron, and inflammation under control
Prioritize deep, restorative sleep

5. Taking Control of Your Brain Health

If the same genes that help you have children later rob you of memories when your grandchildren are born, that’s not evolution’s problem — but it is ours to solve.

And that’s why learning about your APOE4 status, and taking steps to protect your brain, matters more than ever.

If you carry APOE4 or have a family history of Alzheimer’s, you have a powerful reason to start prevention now. Your genetics are not your future — your environment, habits, and nutrition determine how those genes express themselves.

That’s exactly what I teach in my Brain Health Workshop, where I share the latest science on:

Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease
APOE4 and other genetic risk factors
Brain inflammation and detox pathways
Nutritional and lifestyle interventions for prevention

You’ll learn practical steps you can take immediately to protect your memory, focus, and long-term cognitive function.

Learn More

I also explore the APOE4 gene and other genetic factors in my books, where I explain how your DNA interacts with nutrition, hormones, and lifestyle to shape your health and aging.

Take your health beyond your DNA.
Learn what your doctor never told you — but what you really need to know to protect your brain and prevent disease.

Join my Brain Health Workshop to take control of your future.
Read my books for a deeper dive into brain health and genetic risk.

The APOE4 and Hemochromatosis Connection

When the APOE4 gene combines with hemochromatosis genes (such as HFE C282Y, H63D, or S65C), the risk for Alzheimer’s disease can rise dramatically. Both conditions influence how the brain handles iron and oxidative stress — two key drivers of neurodegeneration. APOE4 increases brain inflammation and impairs lipid transport, while hemochromatosis promotes iron overload, leading to toxic free radical formation and damage to neurons. Together, they create a “perfect storm” for brain aging and memory loss. This powerful interaction has been largely overlooked in conventional medicine — yet it may explain why some people develop dementia earlier or more aggressively than others.

My book and workshop, The Iron Curse, is the only book that explores this critical relationship in depth — along with many other genetic combinations that influence brain, heart, and metabolic health.

Find out your APOE and hemochromatosis geneotype in my genetic detoxificaton report.

Find out your APOE and hemochromatosis genotypes with my Genetic Detoxification Report. This personalized report reveals whether you carry APOE4, APOE3, or APOE2, and what those results mean for your brain, heart, and long-term health.

You’ll also learn if you’ve inherited one of the three hemochromatosis genes that can increase iron overload and inflammation — factors that dramatically affect your risk for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Once you know your results, take my Brain Health Workshop and read my books to understand exactly how these genes interact — and most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself from potential health problems through nutrition, detoxification, and lifestyle strategies.

DHA: Essential for Every Brain — Critical for APOE4

If you have a brain, then you need DHA. It’s that simple. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is one of the most important omega-3 fatty acids for building and maintaining healthy brain cells.

If you carry the APOE4 gene, this becomes an even higher priority. APOE4 carriers are less efficient at transporting DHA into the brain as they age, which can accelerate memory decline and inflammation.

That’s why it’s essential to choose a high-quality, high-potency DHA supplement — ideally from a clean marine or algal source — to support lifelong brain health and reduce the risks associated with APOE4.

For speaking, podcast, or event inquiries, contact Dr. Sutton at [email protected]

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