According to recent research, having abdominal fat in middle age is linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago (USA) this week.
Image showing increased neuroinflammation (in yellow). This is related to
visceral fat – (Photo: RSNA).
Researchers discovered that visceral fat, the type of fat surrounding the internal organs in the abdomen, is associated with changes that occur in the brain 25 years before the earliest symptoms of memory loss related to Alzheimer’s disease appear.
Dr. Mahsa Dolatshahi, the lead author of the study, told UPI News: it is important to understand the role of this hidden fat in contributing to low-grade inflammation and the potential onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Dolatshahi’s team analyzed data from 54 cognitively healthy participants aged between 40 and 60, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 32.
These individuals had their glucose and insulin levels measured, along with glucose tolerance tests.
They also underwent MRI scans of their abdomen and brain to measure subcutaneous and visceral fat volume, as well as the cortical thickness of brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, 32 participants underwent PET CT scans (a special imaging technique that reveals how tissues and organs function) to assess Alzheimer’s disease.
“Alzheimer’s disease is detected in middle age and is the onset phase of the pathology. If patients are aware of lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, it will help them manage the disease more effectively and at a lower cost,” Dr. Dolatshahi said.
On the other hand, to prevent obesity and abdominal fat accumulation, Dr. Dolatshahi emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, based in Chicago, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to nearly 13 million.
At age 45, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men.
