Belly Fat Linked To Alzheimer’s
- Scientists at Rutgers University suggest that belly fat might affect the brain health and thinking abilities of people who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
- In their study, they discovered that middle-aged men with a high risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and higher levels of belly fat, had poorer cognitive function and smaller brain volumes.
- They also found that belly fat influenced the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in female participants, although to a lesser extent than in males.
Around the globe, approximately 47 million individuals are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and this figure is projected to rise to 76 million by 2030. AD stands as the most prevalent form of dementia, and regrettably, there exists no cure for it.
While Alzheimer’s can affect anyone, certain factors may heighten the likelihood of its development, including age, genetics, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Researchers from Rutgers University have recently put forth findings indicating that both the quantity and distribution of abdominal fat could impact brain health and cognitive function in individuals at elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
How does belly fat affect brain health?
Abdominal fat consists of subcutaneous or visceral fat situated deep within the abdomen, surrounding organs like the pancreas and liver. Measuring a person’s waistline with a tape measure can help determine their visceral fat levels.
While a healthy amount of visceral fat serves to protect these organs, excessive levels have been linked to various health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, fatty liver disease, and certain cancers like colorectal cancer. Previous studies have explored the connection between unhealthy body weight and the risk of dementia.
A study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in November 2023 revealed that visceral fat could instigate brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease up to 15 years before diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s risk increases with abdominal fat.
Dr. Michal Schnaider Beeri, the director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers Brain Health Institute and the senior author of this study, provided insight into their decision to explore the effects of abdominal fat on brain health and cognition in individuals at high risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Schnaider Beeri emphasized, “The onset of Alzheimer’s pathology begins during middle age. Additionally, the strongest associations between risk factors such as obesity and Alzheimer’s occur when these factors emerge in midlife. Hence, our keen interest lies in focusing on midlife as a pivotal stage for potentially preventing Alzheimer’s disease.”
“We focus on (the) offspring of Alzheimer’s patients because they are at higher risk for developing the disease — a group of people for whom discoveries for prevention would be of the highest clinical value,” she continued. “(And) in general, the focus of research on the relationships of obesity with Alzheimer’s has been on body mass index (BMI) which does not represent (fat well), especially in older adults.”
— Dr. Michal Schnaider Beeri, senior study author
Increased abdominal fat associated with cognitive decline.
Dr. Schnaider Beeri and her team enrolled 204 healthy middle-aged adults with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease for this study. The average age of participants was around 60, with females comprising 60% of the group.
Participants underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess their visceral and subcutaneous fat levels, along with cognitive tests and brain volume measurements.
Upon analysis, researchers observed a correlation between higher abdominal fat levels and reduced total gray matter volume in the brain, as well as diminished cognitive function.
Additionally, the study found that middle-aged men at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease with elevated pancreatic fat exhibited lower cognition and brain volumes compared to female participants.
Dr. Schnaider Beeri noted, “The discovery regarding pancreatic fat isn’t surprising given that this study is likely the first to explore the potential link between pancreatic fat and brain health. Diabetes and pre-diabetes, which stem from impaired pancreatic function, are consistently associated with a heightened risk of dementia, suggesting the involvement of pancreatic fat in this association.”
“Regarding the unexpected stronger findings in women, we are currently investigating the underlying causes for such differences,” she added. “Nevertheless, our results strongly emphasize the importance of considering sex differences in research on the impact of fat on brain aging.”
Metabolic aspects contribute to brain health.
Dr. Verna R. Porter, a board-certified neurologist and director of the Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Neurocognitive Disorders at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA, emphasized the importance of comprehensive risk assessment and management strategies for patients following her review of this study.
Dr. Porter stressed the significance of not only considering traditional risk factors such as genetics and lifestyle but also metabolic factors like abdominal fat distribution.
Looking ahead, Dr. Porter expressed a desire for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying the correlation between abdominal fat and brain health. She specifically highlighted the need for exploration across different population groups and various stages of Alzheimer’s disease progression.
“Longitudinal studies could provide valuable insights into the long-term impact of interventions targeting abdominal fat reduction on cognitive function and Alzheimer’s 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’s risk management.”
— Dr. Verna R. Porter, neurologist
Ways to decrease abdominal fat.
Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon and the medical director of Memorial Care Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, highlighted that poor dietary habits, including excessive sugar, alcohol, and trans-fat intake, alongside inadequate protein consumption, are the primary drivers of abdominal obesity. Dr. Ali, who was not involved in the study, emphasized that while it’s not possible to specifically target weight loss in the abdomen, overall weight loss can effectively reduce truncal obesity. He recommended a diet rich in fiber and protein while low in sugar as a starting point.
Dr. Porter, emphasizing additional strategies for reducing visceral fat, suggested regular physical activity, sufficient sleep, and moderation in alcohol intake. She noted that chronic stress may contribute to abdominal fat accumulation and recommended stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, and spending time in nature.
Furthermore, Dr. Porter highlighted the importance of staying hydrated throughout the day, as adequate water intake can support metabolism and promote feelings of fullness, potentially aiding in the reduction of overeating and abdominal fat accumulation.
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