Part 5 Higher Alk Phos May Mean Higher Functional Age

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a group of enzymes primarily found in the bone, liver, and kidneys. These enzymes are crucial for several metabolic functions. However, elevated ALP levels are linked to pathological conditions that can shorten lifespan, such as coagulation issues, inflammation, vascular calcification, and cardiovascular disease.

As a biomarker of biological aging, ALP is used to evaluate functional age and predict mortality. Elevated ALP levels are associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality.

Elevated ALP levels are associated with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, higher ALP levels significantly increase the risk of post-stroke cognitive impairment. Additionally, postoperative cognitive dysfunction following general anesthesia has been linked to higher ALP levels.

Although it promotes bone mineralization, ALP may have detrimental effects on other tissues, including the brain, contributing to vascular aging cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk.

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