Amyloid is formed from misfolded proteins that aggregate together to form fibrous deposits called amyloid plaques. Prominant examples include amyloid beta in Alzheimer’s disease and alpha synuclein in Parkinson’s disease. Amyloid plaques can form in the brain and are linked to neurodegenerative diseases, but can also form in organs throughout the body and contribute to other age related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. This article provides a more detailed explanation of amyloid, where it comes from, and what you can do about it.