Biological and ecological factors can both have a direct effect on human health. Medical anthropologists often use an approach called the “Ecological Approach” to study the causes of various diseases. The ecological approach is based on environmental factors such as education, neighborhoods, wealth etc. that can have a direct effect on an individuals health. Physical and biological anthropologist use an approach called the “Biological Approach” to study the affect that biological factors has on an individuals health. Some of the biological factors that are taken into consideration when being studied by anthropologists are race, genetics, evolution and many more.
Professionals have yet to find a cause(s) for Alzheimer’s disease. There are a variety of hypotheses and case studies indicating or predicting an actual cause of Alzheimer disease, or at least one that can be proven. The cause of the disease has been attributed to both biological and ecological factors that affects the brain overtime. Scientists believes that genetics plays a major role in the inflammation of the disease. There have been several genes that are said to be associated with the disease such as, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene found on chromosome 19, gene mutations found on chromosomes 21, 14, and 1. Each of these gene mutations causes abnormal proteins to form (NIH, 2011). An allele called APOE ε4 is said to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (NIH, 2011).
The cause of Alzheimer’s disease has also been attributed to ecological/environmental factors as well as cultural. Experts list gender, academic level (education), processed foods and fertilizers(nitrates), stress etc. As mentioned in the case study “Place Matters,” the environment where an individual lives can have a major effect on one’s health. The case study demonstrated how stress can play a major role on one’s health. When an individual becomes stressed it makes the body more vulnerable and prone to certain illnesses, as stated in the case study. Stress can be a result of the place, the people, or society one may reside. According to Sara Bengtsson, stress can increase the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease(MNT,2009). Education is also an ecological factor that can cause Alzheimer’s disease. There is some data showing a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s among people with lower educational qualifications. Poor education may be a result of the environment an individual is restricted too.
The cause of Alzheimer’s disease has also been attributed to ecological/environmental factors as well as cultural. Experts list gender, academic level (education), processed foods and fertilizers(nitrates), stress etc. As mentioned in the case study “Place Matters,” the environment where an individual lives can have a major effect on one’s health. The case study demonstrated how stress can play a major role on one’s health. When an individual becomes stressed it makes the body more vulnerable and prone to certain illnesses, as stated in the case study. Stress can be a result of the place, the people, or society one may reside. According to Sara Bengtsson, stress can increase the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease(MNT,2009). Education is also an ecological factor that can cause Alzheimer’s disease. There is some data showing a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s among people with lower educational qualifications. Poor education may be a result of the environment an individual is restricted too.
Other environmental and cultural factors that may contribute to the disease are increased levels of nitrate found in the environment and in processed food. The video link Potential Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease, the expert explains how nitrates that are found in different forms of food such as flour can be an inflammation for the disease. She elaborates on how floor contains a certain form of nitrate that is not normally cleaned out of the flour before it is consumed by individuals. The case study Bad Sugar also illustrates how foods can have a major impact on the health of immigrants, which is also illustrated in the video link above. The video link above Alzheimer's Disease: A New Theory of Cause and Prevention describes various foods such as vegetable oil that may be a potential cause or trigger for Alzheimer’s. This hypotheses is based on the history of Alzheimers, research as well as case studies.
In a case study conducted by Christopher N. Martyn, the relation between aluminum and silicon in drinking water to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (Martyn and Coggon 1997). The case study was conducted in eight regions of Wales and England. 106 men with Alzheimer’s disease were exposed to aluminum and silicon in drinking water, 99 men with other illnesses, 226 men with brain cancer, and 441 men with other nervous system complications/diseases. The case study found that there were very little relation between Alzheimer’s and the amount of silicon or aluminum found in drinking water. As stated in lecture 1, anthropologists always considers the cultural and ecological factors that can contribute to the spread of illnesses. By taking other factors into account it allows anthropologist as well as other experts to understand the illness or disease better and discover preventive methods or treatments.
Reference:
“Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Fact Sheet.” National Institute on Aging. June 2011.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact- sheet.
Martyn, Christopher N., David N. Coggon, Hazel Inskip, Robert F. Lacey, and
WendyF. Young. “Aluminum Concentrations in Drinking Water and Risk
of Alzheimer’s Disease.” E pidemiology 8, no.3(1997):281-286.
“What is Alzheimer’s Disease? What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?” Medical News Today. July 31,
2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php
In a case study conducted by Christopher N. Martyn, the relation between aluminum and silicon in drinking water to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (Martyn and Coggon 1997). The case study was conducted in eight regions of Wales and England. 106 men with Alzheimer’s disease were exposed to aluminum and silicon in drinking water, 99 men with other illnesses, 226 men with brain cancer, and 441 men with other nervous system complications/diseases. The case study found that there were very little relation between Alzheimer’s and the amount of silicon or aluminum found in drinking water. As stated in lecture 1, anthropologists always considers the cultural and ecological factors that can contribute to the spread of illnesses. By taking other factors into account it allows anthropologist as well as other experts to understand the illness or disease better and discover preventive methods or treatments.
Reference:
“Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Fact Sheet.” National Institute on Aging. June 2011.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact- sheet.
Martyn, Christopher N., David N. Coggon, Hazel Inskip, Robert F. Lacey, and
WendyF. Young. “Aluminum Concentrations in Drinking Water and Risk
of Alzheimer’s Disease.” E pidemiology 8, no.3(1997):281-286.
“What is Alzheimer’s Disease? What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?” Medical News Today. July 31,
2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php