Dementia and Aluminium: What are the risks?

Currently, there is no concrete proof that coming into contact with metals such as aluminium increases the risk of dementia. 

What does the research say?

Research has been carried out for c.40 years, looking at whether there is a link between the metal causing Alzheimer’s, in particular, or any other form of dementia. Thus far, no strong evidence to make the link between the metal and the disease has been forthcoming. 

The question around aluminium causing dementia came about following some observational studies suggesting a link between brain levels of aluminium and Alzheimer’s disease. A study in France found that levels of aluminium in drinking water that were in excess of 0.1mg were associated with a doubling of dementia risk, and a threefold increase in Alzheimer’s disease. 

However, other studies carried out on drinking water found no such association. Other elements in drinking water such as fluoride, copper and zinc could also impact cognitive function, so more research needs to be carried out to see if any of these other elements in the water have a direct link with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Other items that have high concentrations of aluminium such as antacids and antiperspirants were again, not found to have any direct correlation between the metal and the disease. 

Naturally occurring metals

It is worth noting that there are many other metals like aluminium that appear naturally in the brain. The latest evidence suggests that there is likely to be a relationship between naturally occurring metals and the development of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, or even other degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. However, yet again, there is no full proof evidence as yet that this relationship can cause dementia. 

More studies need to be carried out, and further attention and research is being carried out to understand any link between metals and dementia. Copper in particular does have a link with the disease and we discuss this in another article here. 

Summary

In the meantime, the message is thus - no clear link, no cast iron evidence to suggest that aluminium does have a causal effect when it comes to dementia, Alzheimer's in particular, but at the same time, it is advisable to minimise exposure to aluminium.