|
Health 52
Info Tip:
Big Bellies and Alzheimer's Disease
Middle-aged people with big bellies are putting themselves at greater risk
for Alzheimer’s disease by the time they hit their 70s, according to a new
study published in the journal Neurology.
It’s long been accepted that fat around the waist is more dangerous than fat
that accumulates in the hips and thighs. It’s the apple-pear theory.
Which one best describes your body type? If the measurement of your
waistline is equal to or larger than the measurement of your hips, you are
considered at high risk for multiple health-related problems.
Abdominal fat seems to trigger harmful metabolic changes and arterial plaque
buildup that can ultimately lead to heart disease and dementia.
Although Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, not all dementia is Alzheimer’s,
but this new research specifically mentions Alzheimer’s. According to the
Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease could steal the minds of one
out of eight baby boomers.
To minimize the risk of health-related problems associated with belly fat,
and for overall good health, find a way to make exercise a regular part of
your lifestyle and eat a balanced diet with the goal of gradually losing fat
around the waistline.
Sources: NBC/Today Show, msnbc.com, Alzheimer’s Association
|
