Predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease, Chris Hemsworth takes a break from the cinema

“Live better longer.” This is the slogan of the National Geographic series, Unlimited with Chris Hemsworthin which Marvel’s muscular incarnation of Thor goes through a series of tests and challenges in order to “to learn how to prolong our health, strength and intellect into old age.”

In this context, medical examinations revealed that he had inherited two ApoE4 genes from both parents, like only 2 to 3% of the world’s population. A rarity that constituted “his greatest fear”since it predisposes him ten times more than the others to Alzheimer’s disease.

“It is not a predetermining gene, but a strong indicationthe 39-year-old star told Vanity Fair. Ten years ago, I think it was considered more of a determining factor.” A warning that prompted him to make a big decision: to take a break from the cinema. “It’s not like I got my resignation, but it really sparked something in me that made me want to take some time off. With Alzheimer’s, the benefit of preventative measures, it’s is that it affects the rest of your life. It’s about sleep management, stress management, nutrition, movement, fitness. They’re sort of the same kinds of tools which must be used consistently.”

By revealing the risks he incurs and from which his grandfather suffers, Chris Hemsworth defends himself from having “wanted to manipulate, dramatize, try to elicit empathy or entertain”but just to make the general public aware of the importance of testing for genetic predispositions. Then, he will enjoy life, without setting a date for his return to the cinema: “I will have a lot of free time, and it will make everything easier. I will be with the children and my wife.” Playing superheroes may be over for him.