ISLAMABAD, FEB 28 (ONLINE): A new study suggests abdominal fat could impact brain health and cognition among people with a high risk for Alzheimer\u2019s.
\nResearchers from Rutgers University say abdominal fat could impact brain health and cognition among people at risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
Researchers found that middle-aged males with a high Alzheimer\u2019s risk who had higher amounts of pancreatic fat had lower cognition and brain volumes.
\nAbdominal fat also affected Alzheimer\u2019s risk among female participants, but less so compared to males.
\nThere are about 47 million people around the world living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD), with that number expected to jump to 76 million by 2030.<\/p>\n
Alzheimer\u2019s disease is the most common type of dementia.<\/p>\n
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer\u2019s disease. While anyone can develop Alzheimer\u2019s, several factors may influence a person\u2019s risk of developing the condition. These include:<\/p>\n
ageTrusted Source
\ngeneticsTrusted Source
\nsmokingTrusted Source
\nalcohol useTrusted Source
\nphysical inactivityTrusted Source
\ntype 2 diabetesTrusted Source
\nobesityTrusted Source
\nNow, researchers from Rutgers University present evidence suggesting the amount and location of abdominal fat a person has can impact their brain health and cognition if they are at a high risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
The study was published February 27 in the journal ObesityTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
How does belly fat impact brain health?
\nAbdominal fat comprises subcutaneous or visceral fat located deep within the body\u2019s abdominal cavity and surrounds organs such as the pancreas and liver.<\/p>\n
A person\u2019s visceral fat can be determined using a tape measure to measure their waistline.<\/p>\n
While a healthy level of visceral fat is used to protect these organs, too much has been linked to health issues such as:<\/p>\n
heart diseaseTrusted Source
\nhigh blood pressureTrusted Source
\nstrokeTrusted Source
\nfatty liver diseaseTrusted Source
\ncertain cancersTrusted Source like colorectal cancerTrusted Source
\nPrevious studies have also looked at a link between unhealthy body weight levels and dementia riskTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
A study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in November 2023 reported visceral fat could trigger brain changes related to Alzheimer\u2019s up to 15 years before diagnosis.<\/p>\n
Research published in August 2018 found that higher levels of abdominal fat in older adults are associated with cognitive decline.<\/p>\n
Abdominal fat raises Alzheimer\u2019s risk
\nDr. Michal Schnaider Beeri, director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer\u2019s Research Center at Rutgers Brain Health Institute and senior author of this study, explained to Medical News Today why they decided to study the impact of abdominal fat on brain health and cognition in people with a high risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pathology that develops in the brain of Alzheimer\u2019s patients begins in middle age,\u201d Dr. Schnaider Beeri detailed. \u201cAlso, the associations of risk factors \u2014 such as obesity \u2014 with Alzheimer\u2019s (are) strongest when the risk factors evolve in midlife. So we have a great interest in focusing (on) midlife as a critical epoch for potential prevention of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe focus on (the) offspring of Alzheimer\u2019s patients because they are at higher risk for developing the disease \u2014 a group of people for whom discoveries for prevention would be of the highest clinical value,\u201d she continued. \u201c(And) in general, the focus of research on the relationships of obesity with Alzheimer\u2019s has been on body mass index (BMI) which does not represent (fat well), especially in older adults.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dr. Michal Schnaider Beeri, senior study author<\/p>\n
High abdominal fat linked to cognitive decline
\nFor this study, Dr. Schnaider Beeri and her team recruited 204 healthy middle-aged adults with a history of Alzheimer\u2019s disease in their families. Study participants had a mean age of about 60, and 60% of the group was female.<\/p>\n
Participants underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure their visceral and subcutaneous fat and measurements of their cognition and brain volumes.<\/p>\n
Upon analysis, researchers found a higher amount of abdominal fat in their participant pool was associated with lower total gray matter volume in the brain and cognition.<\/p>\n
They also discovered that middle-aged men at high risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease with higher amounts of pancreatic fat were correlated with lower cognition and brain volumes, compared to female participants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe finding regarding pancreatic fat cannot be named a surprise since this is likely the only study that investigated the potential role of pancreatic fat in brain and cognition,\u201d Dr. Schnaider Beeri said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiabetes and pre-diabetes \u2014 which occur because of impaired pancreatic function \u2014 are consistently associated with a higher risk of dementia, and our study suggests the involvement of pancreatic fat in this association.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRegarding the stronger findings in women, this was a surprise to us and we are investigating the causes for such differences,\u201d she added. \u201cYet, our findings strongly suggest that research on the role of fat on brain aging must be done in the context of sex differences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Metabolic factors play a role in brain health
\nAfter reviewing this study, Dr. Verna R. Porter, a board certified neurologist and director of the Dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s Disease, and Neurocognitive Disorders at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA, told MNT that this study underscores the importance of comprehensive risk assessment and management strategies for patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cFocusing not only on traditional risk factors like genetics and lifestyle but also on metabolic factors such as abdominal fat distribution,\u201d Dr. Porter added.<\/p>\n
For the next steps in this research, Dr. Porter said she would like to see further exploration into the mechanisms underlying the relationship between abdominal fat and brain health, particularly in different population groups and across various stages of Alzheimer\u2019s disease progression.<\/p>\n
\u201cLongitudinal studies could provide valuable insights into the long-term impact of interventions targeting abdominal fat reduction on cognitive function and Alzheimer\u2019s risk. Moreover, investigating the efficacy of targeted interventions, such as dietary modifications or exercise programs specifically aimed at reducing abdominal fat, would be beneficial in developing personalized approaches for Alzheimer\u2019s risk management.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dr. Verna R. Porter, neurologist<\/p>\n
How to reduce belly fat
\nDr. Mir Ali, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, said the main causes of abdominal obesity are poor diet \u2014 primarily too much sugar, alcohol, trans-fat, and not enough protein. Dr. Ali was not involved in the study.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, you cannot target weight loss to certain areas like your abdomen,\u201d Dr. Ali told MNT. \u201cHowever, losing weight overall will lead to a reduction in truncal obesity. A diet high in fiber and protein as well as low in sugar is a great place to start.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to a healthy diet, Dr. Porter said regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and limiting alcohol consumption can help lower visceral fat.<\/p>\n
\u201cChronic stress can contribute to abdominal fat accumulation,\u201d she explained, noting the following stress-reduction techniques:<\/p>\n
meditation
\ndeep breathing exercises
\nyoga
\nspending time in nature
\n\u201cDrinking plenty of water throughout the day can help support metabolism and promote feelings of fullness, potentially reducing overeating and abdominal fat accumulation,\u201d Dr. Porter said<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, FEB 28 (ONLINE): A new study suggests abdominal fat could impact brain health and cognition among people with a high risk for Alzheimer\u2019s. Researchers from Rutgers University say abdominal fat could impact brain health and cognition among people at risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Researchers […]<\/p>\n
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