(23-05-11) Abdominal fat linked to increased risk of cardiovascular and Alzheimer`s disease

by John Phillip


(NaturalNews) Researchers from the American Academy of Neurology publishing in
the journal Neurology have released the result of a study showing that being
overweight or obese in midlife significantly increases the risk of developing
certain forms of dementia, including Alzheimer`s disease, as we age. Worldwide
this places 1.6 billion people at risk, including more than half of the US
adult population. Similar research reported in the Journal of the American
College of Cardiology found that even small increases in body weight during
midlife significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Both
studies conclude you can dramatically lower your risk of heart disease and many
forms of dementia by controlling excess weight and participating in regular
exercise.

Researchers examined more than 8,500 twins listed in the Swedish Twins
Registry and monitored participants' height and body weight over a period of 30
years. The twins were placed into groups based on their BMI (Body Mass Index)
recorded during midlife. This information was compared with a diagnosis of
dementia after reaching the age of 65.

The study determined that participants classified as overweight (BMI range of
25 to 30) and obese (BMI above 30) at midlife had an 80% increased risk of
developing dementia, Alzheimer`s disease or vascular dementia (typically caused
by mini strokes) compared to those with normal BMI. The researchers found that
the study results confirm the growing body of evidence that controlling or
reducing body weight in midlife can significantly reduce risk of dementia.

Modest weight gain in midlife is shown to play a critical role in developing
cardiovascular disease. Scientists from the Mayo Clinic demonstrated that body
fat accumulating around the abdomen increases the risk of heart disease and
heart attack, even when BMI is in the normal range. Reviewing the results of
five studies examining nearly 16,000 individuals with coronary artery disease,
researchers found that those with fat stores around the middle were twice as
likely to suffer a fatal cardiovascular event, compared to those with fat found
in other body regions.

Researchers found that visceral fat is metabolically active and causes a storm
of chemical messengers that fan the flames of systemic inflammation. White
abdominal fat stores promote detrimental changes in healthy lipid ratios, blood
pressure and blood sugar. Fat stored in other areas of the body such as the
legs and buttocks don`t show a significant increase in risk from heart disease.

Extensive research has concluded the negative health consequences of excess
body weight. Increased risk of dementia and heart disease can be added to the
list of diseases including diabetes, stroke, kidney disease and respiratory
conditions. In addition to controlling weight in early and midlife, it is
important to limit calories from sugar (including high fructose corn syrup) and
wheat food items to discourage fat accumulation around the midsection.

Article References:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...
http://www.neurology.org/content/76...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...
http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?...

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