The Risks of Visceral Fat Obesity and Its Impact on Alzheimer's Disease.

Recent research reveals that even among individuals with normal weight, having excess visceral fat increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain disorder. Particularly noteworthy is the finding that individuals with high levels of visceral fat show brain changes as early as 15 years before the onset of initial Alzheimer's symptoms.

 

These study results underscore the importance of managing visceral fat for maintaining a healthy brain and preventing dementia.

 

Visceral fat surrounds organs below the abdomen and is not easily visible externally. This type of fat releases chemicals and hormones into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. Research has explored the connection between this inflammation and the onset of Alzheimer's disease. In cases of obesity accompanied by high levels of visceral fat, there is an observed increase in amyloid and tau protein accumulation in the brain, along with elevated levels of brain inflammation.

 

A research team from Washington University in St. Louis conducted a study involving 54 adults aged 40 to 60 with an average BMI of 32. All participants had normal cognitive abilities. The study assessed insulin resistance, abdominal fat tissue, amyloid and tau accumulation, and brain thickness. The results showed that individuals with higher levels of visceral fat compared to subcutaneous fat exhibited more amyloid in the frontal cortex. Additionally, higher visceral fat was associated with increased levels of brain inflammation.

 

According to the research findings, the impact of visceral fat on the brain begins as early as 15 years before the onset of initial Alzheimer's symptoms, suggesting that visceral fat may play a role in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

 

Researchers from Washington University emphasized the novelty of associating Alzheimer's-related proteins in cognitively normal individuals with body fat. They highlighted the need for additional research and longitudinal studies to understand the impact of visceral fat on Alzheimer's prevention.

 

These study results underscore the importance of managing visceral fat for maintaining a healthy brain and preventing dementia. Furthermore, there is a need to explore ways to understand and prevent the impact of visceral fat on brain health.