A tuberculosis vaccine that prevents Alzheimer's

What's the news: A tuberculosis vaccine, BCG, lowers the incidence of Alzheimer's disease by 20%.

Why should we believe it: This news is based on a study published in May 2023 by scientists from Harvard Medical School. You might wonder why the study was published in May but I'm writing about it only in August. The fact is, I missed it until now. I'm guessing if I missed it, many others might have also, and this is the kind of news you want to share.

The background on BCG: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the oldest vaccine in the world that's still in use. It was discovered in 1900, and has been used around the world ever since to prevent tuberculosis.

But BCG does more than just prevent tuberculosis. It's also been found effective as both a treatment and a preventative for cancer. It reduces the risk of diabetes. And as the current study shows, it also reduces the incidence of Alzheimer's by 20%.

Why this is a big deal: Earlier this summer I reported that a shingles vaccine made Alzheimer's disease 20% less likely. But that vaccine only reduced risk for women, while BCG does it both for both men and women. It's also possible that the anti-Alzheimer's results of these vaccines add up in some way.

Beyond this, BCG is clearly an interesting chemical. Its broad spectrum of beneficial effects — cancer, infections, Alzheimer’s, diabetes — remind me of rapamycin, the most promising longevity drug we have right now.

So what specifically can you do now: You can get vaccinated with BCG. It's not common in the US, particularly for adults. But you can talk to your doctor, and see what your options are. And while I certainly don't endorse the practice, it appears some longevity enthusiasts are even vaccinating themselves.