Alzheimer's Disease and Herpes Simplex Virus

Medscape reports on two separate Swedish studies published in Alzheimer's and Dementia that reported an associated between having antibodies for the herpes simplex virus and Alzheimer's disease. The studies showed a near doubling of the risk of Alzheimer's disease if one has antibodies to HSV. This concept was first proposed back in 1985 but not pursued. These studies raise more questions: does treatment of HSV with anti-vitals change the risk? Do nutritional prevention strategies change the risk? Do the amount of outbreaks change the risk? Given this association, what would are some reasonable recommendations? Knowing that one is at increased risk should make one even more vigilant about doing the things one can do to prevent Alzheimer's disease. These would include regular physical exercise that varies over time so one is learning new physical skills, regular mental exercise that also varies over time, eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, low in sugars, and appropriate caloric intake, and healthy sleeping habits along with an active social life.