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Aluminum in Drinking Water & Alzheimer's Disease

For several decades, scientists have tossed around the theory that there might be a link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease. This theory leaked into the media and led to public concern as to whether individuals should cook with aluminum pans and drink from aluminum cans or if it's in their best health interest to avoid aluminum altogether.

  1. Basis of Connection

    • According to the Alzheimer's Association, a study done in the 1960's showed aluminum deposits in the brain of a person with Alzheimer's.

    Theories

    • Whether or not aluminum found in drinking water contributes to Alzheimer's disease is a controversial topic. Decades of research have not been able to prove whether aluminum really is a common factor or not. The closest scientists get to a definitive answer is that it's a possible risk. For example, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health cites a 15-year-study regarding aluminum in drinking water in regards to Alzheimer's which points to a conclusion that aluminum in drinking water might be a risk factor.

    Research

    • The 15-year-study assessed individuals over the age of 65 for individual exposure to aluminum and geographic exposure to aluminum. It took into account the daily consumption of bottled water and regular tap water. When the study began, researchers analyzed the water usage of 1,925 individuals without dementia. Over time, using random-effects models, researchers discovered that individuals who drank from water with higher doses of aluminum on a daily basis and individuals who were exposed to higher amounts of aluminum geographically were more prone to dementia.

    Conclusions

    • Researchers in the 15-year-study used a Cox model for their results. The authors noted that subjects exposed to aluminum geographically did not have a dementia association. The conclusion from the researchers was that consuming high amounts of aluminum (>0.1 mg) through drinking water might result in higher risks for developing Alzheimer's disease.

    Silica

    • According to a Thomson Reuters Health report based on the 15-year-study, which was published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology," the authors of the study also researched the exposure of patients to silica. They documented that subjects who took in high doses of aluminum on a daily basis had a 2.26-fold greater risk of dementia. However, a 10 mg-a-day intake of silica dropped the odds by 11 percent.

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