Could middle-aged 'stomach' be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease?

A lot of us talk about this 'belly'. Especially after the age of 40 or 50, many people have to face this problem. For some, it is just an obstacle to dressing nicely. But did you know that this belly is not just a cosmetic problem? The latest medical research suggests that fat that accumulates around the abdomen in middle age may be the primary cause of diseases such as Alzheimer's, which gradually causes memory loss later in life. This means that your belly may actually be a clue about the health of your brain.

What is the connection between 'belly fat' and the brain?

Simply put, there are two types of fat that accumulate in our stomach. One is the fat that is under the skin. The other is the internal fat or visceral fat . This is the most dangerous factor here. This visceral fat accumulates around important organs inside our stomach like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Imagine that a layer of fat is formed around these organs.

When fat accumulates around organs, it can have a negative impact on how our bodies function. Researchers have found that this visceral fat can reduce the blood supply to our brain . When the brain is not getting enough blood, brain cells don't get the oxygen and nutrients they need. If this condition persists for a long time, brain cells become damaged and the brain gradually begins to shrink. This brain shrinkage is a major symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

That means your belly fat doesn't just mean you're gaining weight. It means you may be accumulating fat that's harmful to your vital organs and brain health.

What does the latest research say?

A recent study further clarified this connection. For this, they used a group of healthy people between the ages of 40 and 50 who had not shown any memory impairment at that time. They measured the types and amounts of fat in their abdomen, liver, and thighs using special imaging tests. At the same time, they examined the state of their brains.

There, they specifically looked at two brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.

• Amyloid plaques: These are abnormal protein clumps that accumulate between brain cells.
• Tau tangles: These are another type of abnormal protein that accumulates inside brain cells.

Both of these proteins stop the flow of information between brain cells and destroy the cells.

The results of this research were very surprising.They found that people with more visceral fat in their abdomen showed early signs of deposits of these harmful proteins called amyloid and tau in their brains. This means that the brain is starting to get sick from within, decades before symptoms of memory loss appear.

So what are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

This disease develops gradually, and the symptoms may be difficult to recognize in the early stages.

• First symptoms:
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy.
• Mental conditions such as depression.
• Forgetting recent conversations, names, or events.

• Later symptoms:
• Confusion, forgetting where you are and what time it is.
• Difficulty expressing ideas and speaking.
• Behavioral changes (getting angry for no reason, suspiciousness).

• When the disease is aggravated:
• Difficulty walking, talking, and even swallowing food.

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What should we do to reduce this risk?

This article may scare you, but the good news is that this is something we can prevent. The main message from this research is how important it is to take care of our weight and health in our youth, especially in middle age.

1. Maintain a healthy weight: It is very important to maintain a healthy weight for your height. Be especially careful of belly fat.

2. Eat a balanced diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Reduce processed foods, sugar, and fatty foods as much as possible.

3. Exercise regularly: Do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, such as walking, running, or swimming. Exercise is a great way to burn visceral fat.

4. Control other medical conditions: If you have conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, it is essential to control them properly.

The most important thing is to take action without being afraid. If you have any concerns about your weight, obesity, or your cholesterol or diabetes risk, the best thing to do is to talk to your family doctor. He or she can run the necessary tests and give you the advice you need to make lifestyle changes that are right for you.