In the News: Link between abdominal fat and dimentia
How many reasons do we need to finally get it? Excess belly fat hurts, not helps us. Studies have already shown that obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke. In addition to excess fat affecting your physical function and capability it may now affect your mental capability.
According to an article on the LATimes.com site,
“The theory is that hormones and proteins released by abdominal fat spur the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer’s. Abdominal fat is more biologically active than fat located in other areas of the body.” - Lead author Rachel A. Whitmer, a Kaiser Permanente researcher.
She also said doctors need to pay more attention not just to excess weight in general, but specifically to excess fat in the belly. It’s the fat in the belly that is the link, not obesity in general. (Note: excess fat doesn’t just show up in the stomach, think arms, legs…)
How many more reasons do you need to get your body moving? Start small, and build up. Take baby steps and remember some minutes of exercise is always better than no minutes. Illness caused as a result of obesity can often be prevented with proper eating and exercise habits (and sleep!). Too many people I know end up in the hospital and that becomes their wake up call. No one I know is effective from a hospital bed. Use diet and exercise as preventative measures to ensure you live a healthy and happy life.
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