Getting a handle on dementia can feel daunting with no known cure. But hope isn't lost, and early detection remains key. A fresh US study has uncovered a new risk factor that can be tackled, bringing some much-needed optimism.
The hidden enemy: dementia risk factors
Dementia isn't picky, and researchers are continually unearthing factors that make it more likely. Heavy drinking, obesity, lack of exercise, and smoking are leading culprits. Now, US scientists have pinpointed another threat: "concealed belly fat."
This elusive adversary can cause inflammation in the abdomen and is linked to heart attacks and cancer. However, you might not notice it affecting your weight or waistline.
Study findings unveiled
The study took place at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Researchers examined participants between the ages of 40 and 60.
►The results were enlightening: abdominal inflammation wasn't limited to the belly; they found it in the brain as well. More alarmingly, they discovered elevated amyloid buildup in those affected, specifically where Alzheimer's develops.
Amyloids are proteins that cluster around nerve cells, eventually causing them harm. Alzheimer's researcher Richard Isaacson told CNN that previously, "a clear connection like this had never been seen before." He wasn't involved in the study.
¶Meanwhile, the team observed a decrease in gray matter brain cells in people with excess belly fat. This dwindling gray matter is another biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers believe that by identifying these markers, they could potentially catch dementia decades before its onset. The good news is that this risk factor - concealed belly fat - can be counteracted!
While Alzheimer's disease still lacks a definitive cure, the inquiry into dementia continues. This recent US study pinpointed concealed belly fat as a new risk factor, contributing to inflammation in the abdomen and brain, as well as the accumulation of amyloid deposits connected to Alzheimer's development. IN addition, Parkinson's disease, another neurological disorder, can be impacted by inflammation and amyloid buildup as they both harm nerve cells.
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Enrichment Insights:
Reducing hidden belly fat, also known as visceral fat, can help in preventing or delaying the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease according to the study. The significant findings are:
- Alzheimer's Association: The study found a strong association between visceral fat and an increased accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, an indicator of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that midlife obesity, particularly visceral fat, is linked to an increased risk of dementia[1].
- Early Intervention: The study indicates that the presence of visceral fat can be detected 20 years before any symptoms of Alzheimer's appear. This early detection allows for the implementation of personalized health strategies, such as weight loss and managing metabolic health (e.g., blood sugar and fat levels), to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's[1].
- Targeted Solutions: The research findings will contribute to scientists developing targeted strategies to reduce Alzheimer's risk. Additionally, researchers are investigating certain drugs that lessen brain damage linked to visceral fat, which could lead to future pharmacological treatments[1].
In summary, reducing hidden belly fat through lifestyle changes such as weight loss and managing metabolic health can help in preventing or delaying the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by reducing the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain.
