Obesity accelerates cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease progression

Monday, September 03, 2012 by: John Phillip
Tags: obesity, cognitive decline, Alzheimer''s

(NaturalNews) As obesity rates continue to soar among all age groups in the U.S. and most other countries, the incidence of chronic diseases spawned by excess abdominal fat follows on a parallel course. Medical scientists have repeatedly confirmed that risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer and dementia increases in direct relation to overweight and obesity measures. A widely accepted falsehood is that mental decline is a natural part of the aging process. Researchers now posit that expanding waistlines are the primary cause of mental deterioration among the middle-aged and senior populations.

A study team from the French research institute INSERM in Paris has published the result of a study in the prestigious journal, Neurology that demonstrates how increased blood pressure and other metabolic factors resulting from excess body weight causes middle-aged and older adults to experience a rapid decline in cognitive skills like thinking and memory. Small increase in biomarkers such as blood pressure and blood glucose result in dramatically increased risk for many morbid illnesses, especially dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

To conduct their study, researchers analyzed data on 6,400 participants, 71 percent of whom were men with an average age 50. The study period began in 1991, defined as the start of the 10-year study time frame. At the outset, the study team gathered data on the participants' metabolic status and body mass index (BMI), a well-known measure of overweight and obesity. At three defined points over the study period, the participants were administered tests to assess cognitive skills such as memory, reasoning, and verbal fluency.

Improving abnormal biomarkers and losing weight lowers risk of cognitive decline by one-quarter

In addition to recording changes in BMI, the scientists also noted alterations in metabolic factors such as blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides. High-range readings in two or more of these categories fell into the classification of 'metabolic abnormalities,' known risk factors for many conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia. Initial readings showed that 31 percent of the participants fell into the metabolically abnormal class, nine percent were obese, and 38 percent were overweight.

After 10 years, the team found that participants who were both obese and metabolically abnormal showed a 22.5 percent faster decline in memory and thinking skills than participants of normal weight and no metabolic abnormality. The lead study author concluded "In these analyses, the fastest cognitive decline was observed in those with both obesity and metabolic abnormality."

It's not difficult for most health-minded people to understand that high blood pressure and blood glucose, abnormal cholesterol and triglycerides and obesity combine to create a 'perfect storm' of potentially lethal health concerns. This research forms the basis for extending the negative effects of these biomarkers on the brain, as they increase the risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease by nearly one-quarter. Monitor and correct abnormal biomarkers by using any a number of natural nutrients and effective supplements, and lower body weight to within an accepted BMI range (25 or under to no more than 30) to significantly lower risk of cognitive decline during aging.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.neurology.org/content/79/8/755
http://www.medicaldaily.com
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249241.php

About the author:
John Phillip is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.