Is Your Belly Fat Putting You at Risk for Alzheimer’s? New Studies Say Yes

According to three studies, visceral fat may contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

These studies, each exploring different aspects of the relationship between visceral fat and Alzheimer’s disease, were presented at the Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

The research was conducted at Washington University School of Medicine’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology.

In the first published study, researchers compared amyloid plaque accumulation in the brains of 62 middle-aged men, with an average age of 50, distinguishing between obese and healthy individuals.

Amyloid plaques are toxic substances that accumulate in the brain during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown higher concentrations of amyloid plaques are built up in obese individuals compared to their healthier counterparts.

The study identified high visceral fat levels as the primary driver of amyloid plaque accumulation, followed by insulin resistance and fat deposits in the lower body and liver.

The second study involved 67 middle-aged men, averaging 50 years old, and examined how fat accumulation in the thighs and liver and insulin resistance affect brain inflammation. The participants had an average body mass index (BMI) of 32, classifying them as obese.

Using Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging, researchers analyzed various factors, including the ratio of thigh fat to muscle mass, insulin resistance, systemic inflammation levels, and brain histology. Their findings revealed that while thigh fat and insulin resistance did not significantly impact brain inflammation, liver fat accumulation emerged as a key factor in increasing inflammation in the brain.

In a third published study, 66 adults aged 50 were studied to determine the relationship between cerebral blood flow and visceral fat mass.

Results showed that individuals with higher visceral fat levels experienced reduced cerebral blood flow. The middle temporal cortex, an area closely associated with Alzheimer’s disease, showed this the most.

Collectively, these studies led researchers to conclude that visceral fat plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.