Could Shedding Excess Weight Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?
Visceral fat, the type that wraps around organs deep within the abdomen, might play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease, particularly during midlife.
These are not unfounded fears. Abundant research in recent years points to a strong link between obesity, particularly visceral fat, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
New findings presented at the Radiological Society of North America conference suggest this connection may go beyond just general obesity. Researchers from the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis presented a series of studies exploring this link.
While more research is needed, these studies, though yet to be peer-reviewed, offer insight into the alarming link between visceral fat and a greater risk of Alzheimer’s.
They showed that
visceral fat was a stronger driver of amyloid protein accumulation in the brain than body mass index (BMI) as a whole
.
Amyloid protein build-up is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, potentially indicating warning signs of cognitive decline. Dr. Mahsa Dolatshahi, lead researcher on these studies, told Medical News Today that while "different kinds of fat [have] variable effects on inflammation and metabolic abnormalities,
visceral fat has a stronger effect on inflammation."
The research team found that
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contributes
to cerebrovascular inflammation, which impacts blood flow
in key areas
implicated in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis the middle temporal cortex, an area strongly linked to Alzheimer’s Disease. Dolatshahi emphasized:
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* Can losing visceral fat help prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
## Could Shedding Excess Weight Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into some alarming new research linking visceral fat – that deep belly fat – with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Joining us is Dr. Alex Reed, a leading expert in [Alex Reed Expertise]. Thanks for being here, Dr. Alex Reed.
**Dr. Alex Reed:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** This research presented at the Radiological Society of North America conference suggests a strong connection between visceral fat and early signs of Alzheimer’s. What did these studies reveal?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Essentially, these studies showed that visceral fat was a more significant driver of brain amyloid protein buildup than overall BMI. Amyloid plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, often indicating the early stages of cognitive decline.
[1](https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20241203/midlife-belly-fat-tied-early-signs-dementia)
**Host:** That’s particularly concerning, considering how common obesity has become. What exactly is it about visceral fat that makes it so dangerous?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Visceral fat is particularly inflammatory. It releases substances that can disrupt blood flow to the brain, especially in key areas like the middle temporal cortex, which is heavily involved in memory and language and is often impacted in Alzheimer’s disease.
**Host:** So, does this mean losing weight, particularly visceral fat, could help lower our risk of developing Alzheimer’s?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** While further research is needed to explicitly confirm this link and the impact of lifestyle changes, these findings strongly suggest that managing visceral fat levels could be a crucial part of a preventative strategy for Alzheimer’s disease. [1](https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20241203/midlife-belly-fat-tied-early-signs-dementia)
**Host:** That’s incredibly important information. What advice would you give to our viewers who are concerned about this?
**Dr. Alex Reed:** Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is paramount. Focus on eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Regular physical activity, even moderate-intensity exercise, can significantly help reduce visceral fat.
**Host:** Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us, Dr. Alex Reed. This is crucial information everyone should be aware of.
**Dr. Alex Reed:** My pleasure. It’s essential to raise awareness and empower people to take proactive steps towards mitigating their risk.[1](https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20241203/midlife-belly-fat-tied-early-signs-dementia)
