- Researchers from Rutgers University say abdominal fat could impact brain health and cognition among people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Researchers found that middle-aged males with a high Alzheimer’s risk who had higher amounts of pancreatic fat had lower cognition and brain volumes.
- Abdominal fat also affected Alzheimer’s risk among female participants, but less so compared to males.
There are about 47 million people around the world living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with that number expected to jump to 76 million by 2030.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. While anyone can develop Alzheimer’s, several factors may influence a person’s risk of developing the condition. These include:
Now, 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’s disease.
The study was published February 27 in the journal
Abdominal fat comprises subcutaneous or visceral fat located deep within the body’s abdominal cavity and surrounds organs such as the pancreas and liver.
A person’s visceral fat can be determined using a tape measure to measure their waistline.
While a healthy level of visceral fat is used to protect these organs, too much has been linked to health issues such as:
Previous studies have also looked at a link between unhealthy body weight levels and
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’s up to 15 years before diagnosis.
Research published in August 2018 found that higher levels of abdominal fat in older adults are associated with cognitive decline.
Dr. Michal Schnaider Beeri, director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research…
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