The amount of fat in their abdominal organs, including the pancreas, liver, and belly fat, is linked to their brain volumes and cognitive function.
The study said that in middle-aged men at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease, elevated levels of pancreatic fat were associated with lower cognition and brain volumes, in contrast to their female counterparts. (Shutterstock)
Is there a correlation between abdominal fat and Alzheimer’s disease? Do researchers have any insights into the relationship between body fat and dementia?
The researchers at Rutgers Health have found that the influence of abdominal fat on brain health and cognition tends to be more significant in middle-aged men at a high risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to women.
The study published in the journal Obesity revealed that the amount of fat in the abdominal organs of middle-aged individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease — including their pancreas, liver, and belly fat — was linked to their brain volumes and cognitive function.
“In middle-aged males — but not females — who have high Alzheimer’s disease risk, higher pancreatic fat was associated with lower cognition and brain volumes, suggesting a potential sex-specific link between distinct abdominal fat with brain health,” said Michal Schnaider Beeri, the author of the study.
“This additional research appears to build upon established knowledge regarding the association between obesity and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease,” Hyderabad’s Apollo Hospital neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar told South First.
“The conventional understanding has primarily focused on total body weight and overall body fat,” he noted.
“However, this study takes a more nuanced approach by examining specific organs, such as the pancreas and liver, to understand their individual contributions,” he added.
He explained that the researchers found that pancreatic and liver fat, in particular, emerged as a more specific indicator of the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Individuals with higher levels of pancreatic fat exhibited brain atrophy in specific areas, and their cognitive functions appeared to deviate from those with lower or no pancreatic fat, according to the study.
Obesity presents a risk factor for diminished cognitive function and an elevated likelihood of dementia, with varying associations observed between different sexes.
Dr Schnaider Beeri and her team conducted a study involving 204 healthy middle-aged adults with a familial history of Alzheimer’s disease.
The participants averaged around 60 years of age, and 60 percent of them were women.
Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilised to gauge visceral and subcutaneous fat, and participants underwent cognitive assessments along with brain volume measurements.
The analysis revealed that a higher concentration of abdominal fat was linked to reduced total grey matter volume in the brain and diminished cognitive function.
“The key takeaway is that individuals who are obese or have a greater amount of abdominal fat, including visceral and organ fat like in the pancreas, tend to experience higher rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Kumar.
Kumar pointed out that the findings of the study aligned with certain logical connections:
“While the study provides valuable insights into these potential mechanisms, it is important to note that this is a cross-sectional study,” noted Kumar.
“As such, it does not establish a direct causal link between pancreatic fat and Alzheimer’s or dementia,” explained the neurologist.
“Further research and longitudinal studies would be needed to ascertain whether pancreatic fat is a causative factor or merely a predisposing element for an elevated risk of dementia,” he said.
The study said that elevated levels of pancreatic fat in middle-aged men at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease were associated with lower cognition and brain volumes in contrast to their female counterparts.
These research findings underscored the significance of exploring the connections between various fat depots, brain ageing, and cognition, taking into account the distinctions between sexes.
“In terms of gender differences, women generally exhibit a lower risk of dementia, which can be attributed to factors beyond just obesity,” explained Kumar.
“Lifestyle behaviours, such as alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as metabolic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, contribute to the overall risk profile. These factors may be more prevalent in men, potentially influencing their higher risk,” he added.
Moreover, the pattern of fat distribution in men and women differed significantly, he noted.
Men tend to have more abdominal fat, classified as android obesity, while women often experience gynoid obesity — with fat accumulating in the hips, buttocks, and thighs.
Women may continue to accumulate fat in different areas even after menopause.
“The protective effect observed in women may be linked to the different patterns of fat storage. Men’s higher risk of complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and hypertension, can be attributed to the visceral fat accumulation in the abdomen. Oestrogen, present until menopause, is believed to offer some protection to women by influencing fat distribution,” said Kumar.
Furthermore, the study challenged the conventional use of body mass index (BMI) as the primary metric for evaluating obesity-related cognitive risks.
The researchers argued that BMI inadequately represented body fat distribution and might not adequately address sex-specific differences.
“Our findings indicate stronger correlations compared to the relationships between BMI and cognition, suggesting that abdominal fat depots — rather than BMI — is a risk factor for lower cognitive functioning and higher dementia risk,” said Beeri, the author of the study.
Kumar, supporting the idea, said BMI was becoming increasingly obsolete because it solely considered overall body weight without distinguishing between muscle and fat weight.
“As muscle weight is generally considered healthy while fat weight is deemed unhealthy, BMI fails to make this crucial distinction. Additionally, BMI does not account for the distribution of fat in the body,” he noted.
For instance, the location of fat accumulation matters in women. Fat stored in the thighs, buttocks, and hips is considered less risky than abdominal fat.
BMI cannot differentiate between these. This limitation has prompted a shift towards alternative measurements, such as waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, or waist-to-hip ratio, which provide more accurate insights into abdominal and visceral fat.
“Simplistically, measurements focusing on the waist offer better accuracy. Although BMI has been widely used in previous studies and guidelines, there is a growing recognition of the need for more precise metrics. Researchers are now incorporating waist circumference and similar measurements in their studies to better understand the implications of fat distribution,” said Kumar.
However, changing guidelines is a gradual process, as the current standards for defining overweight, obesity, and other health parameters are firmly rooted in BMI.
Despite the limitations of BMI, transitioning to new guidelines requires careful consideration and research to ensure accurate and meaningful assessments of health and obesity.
The primary causes of abdominal obesity are often said to be a poor diet — notably excessive consumption of sugar, alcohol, and trans-fats, coupled with insufficient intake of protein.
Kumar said that individuals are advised to reduce the intake of high-carbohydrate foods — particularly those with elevated sugar content, such as soft drinks, sweets, cakes, and chocolates — to combat abdominal obesity.
These items should be prioritised for reduction before considering more staple sources of carbohydrates like rice and roti. Even a small quantity of high-sugar treats can contribute significantly to overall carbohydrate intake.
“Other dietary adjustments include limiting the consumption of packaged fruit juices and ultra-processed foods. Moderation in the consumption of rice and roti is suggested, accompanied by an increase in protein intake. The recommended protein intake is around 1 gram per kilogram of body weight,” said Kumar.
Healthy fats, such as those found in small amounts in butter, cheese, and avocado, are encouraged as part of the diet. These fats contribute to overall health while avoiding excessive intake.
The second key component in addressing abdominal obesity was regular exercise. Aerobic activities like running, cycling, swimming, and strength training are emphasised.
Aerobic exercises contribute to fat loss, while strength-training helps build muscle mass, enhancing the metabolism of carbohydrates and preventing their conversion into fat.
Adequate sleep is also identified as a factor influencing obesity. Studies suggest that individuals who consistently get sufficient sleep are less likely to experience obesity compared to those who are sleep-deprived.
The combination of a balanced diet, regular exercise — both aerobic and strength training — and adequate sleep forms a comprehensive approach to combating abdominal obesity.
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 26, 2024
Apr 26, 2024
Apr 25, 2024
Apr 24, 2024
