By now we have all heard enough about the harmful effects being over weight has on our physical health. It ranges from increased risks in every measurable category related to our cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, digestive and emotional wellbeing. Obesity is considered a multisystem disease because it leads to diabetes, hypertension and is implicated in so many other diseases.
But how does obesity effect our brain’s health?
Previous studies have shown that there is a link in the build up of amyloid plaque and cerebrovascular decline, in those who are obese and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients.
But until now there has never been a direct comparative study that looked into patterns of brain atrophy of those with AD and obesity.
This was recently accomplished by scientists at The Neuro ( Montreal Neurological Institute- Hospital) of McGill University.
In this study, researchers investigated 1,300 sample patients grey matter shrinkage patterns of those who were obese and those with AD. The data maps compared grey matter atrophy of each group and compared AD patients with healthy, obese and non-obese individuals.
What they found was quite surprising. It revealed a very similar degree of cortical thinning of both the AD patients and the obese.
The brain areas most effected were the left prefrontal cortex (decision making, executive functions, moral judgement, happiness, pride, anger) and the right temporoparietal cortex (ability to shift attention, understanding of others mental state, non-verbal memory). These findings of grey matter thinning within these brain regions of those obese patients have similar implications as AD patients.
The first research author of the study, Filip Morys, Ph.D. said, “ Our study strengthens previous literature pointing to obesity as a significant factor in AD by showing that cortical thinning might be one of the potential risk mechanisms. Our results suggest that decreasing weight in obese and overweight individuals in mid-life, in addition to other health benefits, may also decrease the subsequent risk of neurodegeneration and dementia.”
Bottom line, this is yet another reason to remain active with ample amount of exercise along with healthy nutritional support as the best way to move forward to maintain a good and healthy body weight. Through research such as this we can plainly see that what happens in the body effects the brain which ultimately effects the mind. It also points to the fact that we all are much more in control of our health outcomes than we think. It is not all determined by our genetics. Sure, some of us may have greater obstacles. But those very same people can stand to be examples for us all to see what’s possible. The true mark of our health begins with being our own medical advocate.
-A Balanced Brain is a Better Brain for a Happier Life-