How body composition affects Alzheimer’s disease risk

Certain foods (such as processed meats), low vitamin D levels, and even moderate alcohol consumption have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A growing body of research is examining how body composition (fat levels relative to lean body mass) may affect cognitive disease.

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A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology suggests that where fat is stored may increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

For the study, researchers followed 412,690 participants from the UK Biobank (mainly white people with an average age of 56) for nine years who had no prior cognitive impairment.

At the start of the study, researchers collected measurements of waist and hip circumference, grip strength, bone density, and lean and fat mass. The goal was to see how many people had developed dementia (primarily Alzheimer’s) or Parkinson’s disease nine years later.

At the end of the study, they found that:

The interesting thing is that they are People with higher muscle strength were 26% less likely to develop these cognitive diseases compared to those with lower muscle strength..

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This study measured strength through a grip strength test. As the British Medical Journal points out, grip strength is an important indicator of longevity and a good indicator of overall muscle strength.

Weight affects the heart, which in turn affects the brain

Researchers and these studies show that they are Modulating body composition and strength in relation to brain health by modifying cardiovascular disease risk factors (This is consistent with past research).

In particular, they note that carrying excess weight around your abdomen can interfere with insulin signaling, causing blood sugar levels to be higher than they should be. This in turn can cause inflammation, which can damage your blood vessels over time.

Optimal blood flow to the brain is important for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the organ. Blood vessels are small and very sensitive to damage. So by protecting the health of your heart and circulatory system, you protect your brain, too.

Tips for Improving Body Composition

Of course, you can’t always control where your body stores fat (there’s a genetic component here). Some people, especially women, are more likely to store it in their hips or lower body until menopause. And both women and men are more likely to accumulate belly fat.

But improving your body composition is possible—regardless of age or genetic predisposition.

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First, practice, but do special work train. Lifting weights, pushing or pulling, and bearing your own weight are all great for strengthening your muscles.

Eat protein It also stimulates muscle protein synthesis, and it is recommended to combine a high-protein diet with strength training to maximize the benefits of body composition. A high-protein diet alone can help you lose fat (and still eat a lot of food) because it increases calorie burning and promotes fullness, he writes. Greening the mind.