Sep 1, 2009 9:45 am US/Pacific
Obesity And Brain Drain
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Staying fit and managing your weight could be the key to preserving brain cells.
AP
New evidence shows that if you want to preserve brain cells, stay fit and manage your weight. This study, published in Human Brain Mapping, links brain degeneration to obesity. Researchers from UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh evaluated (via brain scan) the brains of nearly 100 people in their 70s. Compared to individuals of normal weight, obese individuals had 8% less brain tissue and their brains "looked" 16 years older.
Given that over 60% of the adults in the United States are considered overweight or obese, this study should be yet another wake-up call. We already know that being overweight or obese puts us at risk for heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and more.
The loss of brain volume demonstrated in this study also shows that obesity increased the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of the brain and cognition. We can decrease this risk by limiting our sugar intake, eating healthy foods including fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and fish, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
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