A new study suggests that higher levels of belly and arm fat may increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, while high muscle strength could decrease this risk. The study involved over 400,000 participants aged between 40 and 70, who were followed for an average of nine years. During this time, over 8,000 participants developed neurodegenerative diseases, primarily Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia.
Participants with excess arm fat were found to have an 18% greater risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases compared to those with low levels of arm fat. Similarly, participants with high levels of belly fat had a 13% increased risk of developing these diseases, with slightly higher risks observed in men compared to women. However, participants with high muscle strength had over a 25% lower risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
While previous research had found that higher levels of lean muscle mass could decrease the risk of these diseases, the Neurology study researchers found inconsistent results on this factor. They suggested that muscle quality may play a more significant role in reducing risk than muscle quantity. According to Dr. Huan Song, a study author and professor for Sichuan University in China, targeted interventions to reduce trunk and arm fat while promoting healthy muscle development may be more effective than general weight control for protection against these diseases.
One reason excess belly fat increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases is due to the presence of visceral fat, which is located around abdominal organs and not visible to the naked eye. Individuals with excess visceral fat may have increased levels of tau and amyloid proteins in their brains, both of which are indicators of Alzheimer’s. Obesity has been found to significantly increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, as it can accelerate the natural process of brain shrinking with age, leading to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
The researchers also considered the role of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, in the development of degenerative brain diseases. A significant number of participants with excess belly and arm fat developed cardiovascular diseases before the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Early management of cardiovascular diseases in individuals with excess arm and belly fat may help mitigate the risk of neurodegeneration. Currently, around 30 million people worldwide are living with degenerative brain diseases, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing risk factors such as body composition and muscle strength in preventing these conditions.
