Chris Hemsworth reveals life-changing health shock
Chris Hemsworth has revealed how he discovered he has a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.
The actor revealed that while he was filming his new docuseries, titled Limitless with Chris Hemsworth, he discovered he has two copies of the gene APOE4, meaning he is "eight to 10 times more likely" to battle the progressive disease characterised by mental deterioration.
"Most of us, we like to avoid speaking about death," Hemsworth told Vanity Fair. "Then to all of a sudden be told some big indicators are actually pointing to this as the route which is going to happen, the reality of it sinks in. Your own mortality."
Hemsworth is part of the rare two to three per cent of the population that has a copy of the APOE4 gene from both parents.
The father-of-three noted how after his grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he often "slips in and out of Dutch", English, in a "mash-up and then maybe some other new words as well".
It was "confronting initially" to get news of his genetic predisposition, Hemsworth said, but he told the outlet he has turned it into a "self-deprecating sort of joke."
"I feel like my memory's getting worse," the Aussie star revealed. "It's a placebo effect – or it's taking place! … It's my excuse now."
Since receiving the news, Hemsworth says he has made certain lifestyle choices and is now more selective about the projects he takes on and prioritises spending "outdoorsy and adventurous" time with his family – wife Elsa Pataky, 46, daughter India, 10, and sons Sasha and Tristan, eight.
The actor star also said he is taking preventative measures against Alzheimer's, though evidence suggests it's not completely preventable, but certain lifestyle choices can provide a greater quality of life with the disease.
"I feel thankful that I have in my arsenal the sort of tools to best prepare myself and prevent things happening in that way," Hemsworth said. "The benefit of preventative steps is that it affects the rest of your life."
"When you have predisposition to … anything – it's all about sleep management, stress management, nutrition, movement fitness," he continued. "It's all kind of the same tools that need to be applied in a consistent way."
Hemsworth said he shared his story in the hopes of encouraging others to "to take better care of themselves."
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