This Body Type Linked Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s

Belly Fat Could Be Linked to Higher Risk of Alzheimer’s Later in Life

New research presented at the Radiological Society of America’s annual meeting suggests a worrying connection between abdominal fat, specifically visceral fat, and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Visceral fat, often referred to as "belly fat," is stored deep within the abdomen, surrounding vital organs. This type of fat is considered particularly dangerous to overall health.

The study, conducted by Dr. Mahsa Dolatshahi and her team, analyzed the link between visceral fat and the abnormal protein deposits, amyloid and tau, that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

"Our study showed that higher visceral fat was associated with higher PET levels of the two hallmark pathologic proteins of Alzheimer’s disease — amyloid and tau," Dr. Dolatshahi explained. "This is significant because our study looked at individuals in midlife, decades before they would typically experience the earliest symptoms of dementia related to Alzheimer’s."

The research discovered a potentially positive link: individuals with high levels of HDL cholesterol, often termed ‘good’ cholesterol, experienced a reduced impact of visceral fat on amyloid build-up.

While more research is needed, lead author Dr. Cyrus A. Raji highlights the public health implications of these findings. "Nearly three out of four Americans are overweight or obese," Dr. Raji stated. “Knowing that visceral obesity negatively affects the brain opens the possibility that lifestyle modifications or weight-loss drugs could potentially improve cerebral blood flow and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease."

This alarming connection underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity. These steps, coupled with managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, can potentially lower the risk of this devastating neurological disease.

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