Fat distribution influences brain health

The link between overweight, obesity, and memory problems is already established. But according to researchers at the University of Hong Kong, it’s not so much the quantity of fat that matters, but its location in the body.

“More and more research highlights the negative impact of obesity, measured by BMI, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio, on brain health and cognitive functionsthey say in the introduction to their article (1). Obesity has been associated with structural and functional changes in the brain, including reduced gray matter volume, disruption of white matter integrity, and dysregulation of functional connectivity. These changes may reflect accelerated brain aging. »

Obesity has become a global health challenge. Usually, it is detected by measuring body mass index (BMI). But BMI says nothing about the distribution of fat in the body. However, this distribution makes all the difference in terms of neurodegenerative risk (especially Alzheimer’s disease) and cognitive decline.

Visceral fat: the enemy of the brain

To better understand these mechanisms, Hong Kong researchers analyzed data from more than 18,000 participants of the UK Biobanka large British cohort study. Adiposity was measured using dual-photon X-ray absorptiometry, and brain health using medical imaging and cognitive tests.

Researchers have discovered that fat located in the arms, trunk, legs or stomach does not have the same effects on brain health. Especially, visceral fatthat which accumulates deep around the abdominal organs, would be the most harmful for the brain. It had the strongest negative associations, including reduced axonal density and increased tissue disorganization.

This study suggests that visceral fat plays a disproportionate role in neurocognitive risk: it is associated to accelerated brain aging and a decline in cognitive functionsregardless of the person’s weight.

Read: Why we gain belly fat (subscribers)

How to act concretely?

“Belly fat is indeed dangerousexplains Martine Cotinat, gastroenterologist. It remains silent for a long time while preparing for a good number of chronic illnesses: cardiovascular diseases, overweight and obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers…”

The explanation: the inflammation that accompanies this excess abdominal fat. “It is this inflammation, very sneaky, which will be largely involved in the triggering and worsening of these chronic diseases. »

Losing visceral fat is therefore essential to limit cognitive decline. To do this, it is necessary to combine a suitable dietary program (generally limiting carbohydrates) with targeted physical exercise.

To go further:

• I want to lose belly fatby Dr Martine Cotinat

• Belly fat – the solutionby JB Rives