Can the Presence of Belly Fat Predict the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease?
As our knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease grows, medical researchers have tried to find more ways to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s in patients. Alzheimer’s is a condition that slowly erodes the brain’s function leading to memory loss, mood disturbances, and behavior changes. Recent research indicates that a physical precursor of the disease might manifest on the body long before Alzheimer’s patients suffer any form of dementia.
According to a recent study, scientists have found a link between the amount of visceral fat (also known as belly fat situated deep within the abdomen) and abnormal brain proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This means that physical signs of Alzheimer’s might manifest up to two decades before a patient begins experiencing symptoms.
Visceral fat is positioned around vital organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines. Sometimes, it’s referred to as “invisible” or “hidden fat”. Indicators such as waist measurements, waist-to-hip ratios, and even body shape can suggest an excess. This is significant due to the recent findings of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine.
The study involved 80 cognitively sound adults with an average age of 49. 58% of the individuals in the study were considered obese. They were marked by an average BMI of 32.31. A healthy range is between 18.5 and 24.9. Using advanced imaging techniques, including brain positron emission tomography (PET) scans, they traced the buildup of amyloid and tau proteins, which are known to be predictors of Alzheimer’s disease.
MRI scans reveal a significant link between higher levels of visceral fat and the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to their research. In a statement provided to the press, the study’s lead author, Dr. Mahsa Dolatshahi emphasized the connection: “Higher visceral fat was associated with higher PET levels of the two hallmark pathologic proteins of Alzheimer’s disease—amyloid and tau.”
According to the study, a staggering 77% of the effect that high BMI has on protein build-up could be attributed to visceral fat. Other types of fat showed no similar correlation.
In addition to visceral fat, the research also pointed to higher insulin resistance and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) as contributors to increased brain protein buildup. The study indicates that there is a correlation between obesity and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the study’s senior author, Dr. Cyrus A. Raji, “A key implication of our work is that managing Alzheimer’s risk in obesity will need to involve targeting the related metabolic and lipid issues that often arise with higher body fat. Knowing that visceral obesity negatively affects the brain opens up the possibility that treatment with lifestyle modifications or appropriate weight-loss drugs could improve cerebral blood flow and potentially lower the burden of and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
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Source:
getsurrey.co.uk/news/health/alzheimers-disease-symptom-visceral-fat-30506326
