Chris Hemsworth Shares New Health Update After Alzheimer's Findings
By Favour Adegoke on November 3, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST
Updated on November 4, 2024 at 8:04 AM EST
Chris Hemsworth has shared a personal health update with his fans months after a sad diagnosis was issued.
The actor seems to have begun regenerative stem cell therapy, posing for photos with a global leader in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, Dr. Adeel Khan.
Chris Hemsworth earlier revealed that his career could be "killing" him as it was discovered he had two copies of the APOE4 gene, which means he's at higher risk of having Alzheimer's than the general populace.
Chris Hemsworth Posts New Update On His Health After Learning Of Alzheimer's Risk
Hemsworth, famous for his iconic portrayal of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, took to his Instagram account on Saturday to share an update on his health with his 59 million followers.
The 41-year-old actor is working with a world leader in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, Dr. Adeel Khan, to better his health after it was revealed in May that he is "between eight and 10 times" likelier to develop Alzheimer's than the general population.
"Really enjoyed meeting Dr. Khan," the "Extraction" actor captioned a photo of himself and Dr. Khan. "His work with MUSE cells – an incredible type of regenerative stem cell, is unique."
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He posed in a pair of black shorts and a loose tank top outside one of the Canadian doctor's Eterna clinics. Dr. Khan himself wore a black scrub unique to the medical profession.
"The fact that Dr. Khan collaborates directly with Professor Mari Dezawa, who pioneered these cells, made me feel confident that I was in the hands of someone at the very forefront of regenerative medicine," Hemsworth added in his caption, per the Daily Mail.
The Actor Was Rumored To Have Developed Alzheimer's
Hemsworth's update comes after speculations swirled that he had already developed Alzheimer's and was headed to an early retirement from his acting career.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the memory, thinking, and behavior of victims.
It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases. Hemsworth's neverending acting schedule seemingly took a toll on his health, leading to him needing Muse cells therapy.
Muse cells, found in the bone marrow and connective tissue of nearly every organ, are a type of non-embryonic stem cell that can migrate to damaged tissues and contribute to tissue repair and regeneration.
They were first discovered in 2010 by a team of researchers led by Dr. Mari Dezawa, whom Hemsworth referenced in his caption at Tohoku University in Japan. They are useful in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries, and cardiovascular diseases.
The comments about his retirement left him in stitches as he quipped, "I did read a really funny comment at the bottom of one article: 'I hope Chris forgets he's retiring and comes back.'"
Chris Hemsworth Weighed In On The Diagnosis
Shortly after news broke of his sad diagnosis, the "Men in Black" actor took a step back from Hollywood to recuperate and reduce his stress level.
"It really kind of p-ssed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this," he told Vanity Fair. "No matter how much I said, 'This is not a death sentence,' the story became that I have dementia, and I'm reconsidering life and retiring and so on."
Speaking to Body + Soul magazine in the U.S., he said, "The imagined scenario is always worse than the reality."
Reflecting on how his struggles have seemingly changed his perspective, Hemsworth added, "When you're building or creating all sorts of disastrous outcomes for things, it's very hard to make clear decisions with any sort of precision. It's in the quieter moments of reflection and stillness that I can make decisions based upon real purpose and drive."
Chris Hemsworth Reflects On Life After Slowing Down
In his chat with the magazine, Hemsworth reflected on the health wins he has secured since slowing down on filming.
"I would go from job to job and be stressed," says Hemsworth of life before slowing down. "I was always giving an extra 20 percent of my time. Sometimes it just ended up being excessive, and sometimes it had diminishing returns."
That was when he came to the realization that his lifestyle wasn't sustainable without some correction, and then he took some moments to reflect, prioritizing his family over everything.
"When there is some calm amongst the storm, I think it's much easier to navigate family and work. There may be a project I'd love, but doing it means less time at home," he said, per the DailyTelegraph.
Hemsworth continued, "Alternatively, I can see that I've been at home enough to feel like I'm not going to go to work and be full of guilt that I should be home. And that's sort of the daily conversation we all have in our lives, whether you're in this business or another."
The Actor Has Made Some Lifestyle Changes
Dr. Peter Attia, a specialist in longevity, noted that with an "aggressive" lifestyle adjustment, Hemsworth can reduce his risk and become just as susceptible as everyone, calling Hemsworth's early detection a "blessing."
In response to the doctor's recommendations, Hemsworth outlined significant lifestyle changes he has adopted to prioritize his mental and cognitive health during a recent interview with Men's Health Magazine.
Hemsworth, known for his intense workout regimen, stated that while workouts are important, he is now focusing more on "mindfulness work" and "incorporating more solitude into his life."
"I've always been pretty consistent with my exercise commitments, but lately, I've really felt the importance of taking time for yourself without any outside voice or stimulation and making time for stillness," he told the news outlet.
The change is seemingly an all-encompassing, holistic approach. Hemsworth spelled out that it has also affected his sleep, fitness routine, screen time, and work-life balance, pointing out that those areas have also received more attention over the last year or so.