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| - Last Updated on January 14, 2025 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that Alzheimer’s disease was non-existent before 1979. Our fact check confirms that this claim is false.
The Claim
A viral video from X claims that Alzheimer’s disease did not exist before 1979 and attributes its rise to the use of vegetable oils in margarine.
Fact Check
Did Alzheimer’s disease only emerge after 1979?
No, Alzheimer’s disease was first identified in 1906. Dr Alois Alzheimer, a German pathologist, described an “unusual disease of the cerebral cortex” after examining the brain of Auguste Deter, a woman who exhibited severe memory loss and behavioural changes. By 1910, the condition was officially named Alzheimer’s disease in the “Handbook of Psychiatry.” This was long before the widespread use of vegetable oils in margarine, making the claim historically inaccurate.
Is myelin 100% cholesterol?
No, myelin is not entirely cholesterol. Myelin, the fatty sheath that insulates nerve fibres, is composed of 70-85% lipids, and only 40% of those lipids are cholesterol. The remaining lipids include phospholipids and glycolipids. Scientific studies, such as the one from 2020, clarify that myelin’s composition is far more complex than the claim suggests.
Is the human brain 75% myelin?
No, approximately 40% of the human brain consists of white matter, with myelin accounting for 50-60% of its dry weight. Myelin is a critical component of white matter, playing a vital role in insulating nerve fibres and enabling efficient signal transmission. However, the claim that myelin makes up 75% of the entire brain is inaccurate and oversimplifies its contribution. The brain is a complex organ composed of both grey and white matter, each serving distinct functions, and such a statement misrepresents established scientific knowledge.
Was margarine invented for Napoleon’s army?
Not actually, margarine was developed in 1869 for Napoleon III, not Napoleon Bonaparte. The French chemist Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès created margarine as a cheaper butter substitute for the French military under Napoleon III’s directive. This innovation occurred long after Napoleon Bonaparte’s death in 1821.
Is margarine “one molecule away” from being plastic?
No, this claim is scientifically incorrect. The idea that margarine is “one molecule away” from plastic is a misunderstanding of the term “plastic.” We found a 1977 FDA document that likely contributed to this confusion. In the case of margarine, “plastic” refers to its malleable texture, not its chemical structure. Margarine and plastic are made of entirely different materials, so this comparison has no scientific basis.
Do vegetable oils or margarine cause Alzheimer’s disease?
Not directly, but they can increase the risk. Margarine does contain trans fats, which can be harmful to health and may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s if eaten in large amounts. There’s also another claim suggesting that nose-picking could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, though this isn’t entirely accurate either. The truth is, Alzheimer’s is a complex condition which depends on many factors, not just diet. While it’s important to limit trans fats, other factors such as staying active, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking also play crucial roles in reducing the risk.
On a related note, some social media posts claim that aluminium is the biggest cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but this is false.
THIP Media Take
The claim that Alzheimer’s disease was non-existent before 1979 is false. Alzheimer’s disease existed long before the widespread use of vegetable oils in margarine. Claims linking margarine or vegetable oils to Alzheimer’s disease lack historical accuracy and scientific evidence.
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