Study Reveals Hidden Belly Fat May Predict Alzheimer’s Decades Early

New Delhi: A new study has found that hidden belly fat, or visceral fat, may be linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease up to 20 years before symptoms appear. Researchers presented their findings at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), highlighting the connection between this fat and abnormal proteins in the brain, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

Visceral fat accumulates around internal organs like the liver, heart, and kidneys and is metabolically active, posing significant health risks compared to subcutaneous fat, which lies just beneath the skin. The study, conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, analyzed the relationship between visceral fat and Alzheimer ’s-related proteins, amyloid and tau.

The study included 80 cognitively healthy middle-aged participants with an average age of 49.4 years. Of these, 57.5% were classified as obese, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 32.31. Using advanced MRI imaging, researchers examined several factors, including BMI, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, liver fat, thigh fat, muscle, insulin resistance, and HDL (good cholesterol).

The results showed a strong link between higher levels of visceral fat and increased amyloid accumulation in the brain, with visceral fat accounting for 77% of the effect of high BMI on amyloid buildup. In contrast, other types of fat did not significantly explain the relationship between obesity and Alzheimer’s pathology.

Lead author Mahsa Dolatshahi, a postdoctoral research associate at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University told IANS, “Our study demonstrated that higher visceral fat levels are associated with higher PET imaging levels of amyloid and tau, the two hallmark proteins of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The study also found that higher insulin resistance and lower HDL levels were linked to elevated amyloid in the brain. However, the negative impact of visceral fat on amyloid pathology was somewhat reduced in individuals with higher HDL levels.

The researchers emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes to reduce visceral fat as a preventive measure against Alzheimer’s. “This study goes beyond BMI to more precisely characterize body fat using MRI, providing crucial insights into how obesity can increase Alzheimer’s risk,” said Dr. Dolatshahi.

These findings highlight the need for early interventions to manage visceral fat, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.