Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror one morning and suddenly realized that your waistline had quietly increased by a few centimeters? Or, as the elders in your family get older and change their body shape, you start to worry about the health problems that may be behind these body shape changes. Obesity itself is no longer an exclusive problem for young people, especially after the age of 50, as the body's metabolism begins to slow down as we age, and fat quietly accumulates in places where it should not accumulate. More worryingly, these fats don't just affect appearance, they can also be directly linked to a range of diseases – including Alzheimer's disease. Where is fat accumulation most dangerous? For people over the age of 0, where is the fat most likely to trigger memory loss and even dementia?

The "Hidden Area" of Weight Gain

As the years passed, the rate of material conversion in the human body quietly slowed down. Body fat tends to accumulate in certain "high-risk areas", especially around the waistline, neck and organs. Studies have shown that abdominal fat, especially intra-abdominal fat (i.e., deep fat), is strongly associated with the risk of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Excessive fat accumulation in the waist is concentrated in the body.

The stomach is the area where body fat accumulates the most, especially around the internal organs. This type of fat is not only related to the external bloat, but also produces inflammatory mediators in metabolic activities, and these inflammatory mediators may directly act on the health of the brain. Studies have shown that people with more waist fat have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. According to a study from the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, there is a clear association between abdominal obesity and cognitive decline, especially after the age of 50.

Excess oil accumulates in the neck.

The accumulation of neck fat is equally harmful. The accumulation of fat in the neck area not only hinders breathing and blood flow, but also puts pressure on the blood vessels in the brain, affecting the normal blood supply to the brain. Blocked blood flow to the brain may lead to faster aging of brain cells, which in turn increases the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease.

Lipids accumulate around the organs.

The amount of fat that accumulates around the internal organs, i.e. those fats that accumulate around the internal organs, poses a significant risk to the health of the body. It not only affects the function of organs such as the liver and heart, but also increases oxidative stress in the brain by activating the body's inflammatory response, which in turn affects the cognitive function of the brain.

After entering the age 50 threshold, there is a strong correlation between body fat accumulation and memory loss.

After the age of half a hundred, the physiological functions of the human body will change significantly. Slowed physiology, hormonal fluctuations, decreased activity and many other factors combine to make important areas of the body more prone to fat accumulation. At the same time, the neuronal structure of the brain is gradually undergoing a gradual aging process, and various functions are slowly weakening. The accumulation of fat not only affects physical health, but also causes harm to the brain through a variety of mechanisms.

Inflammation of the brain caused by the presence of oil.

Fat, especially the deep layers of the abdomen, releases a range of inflammatory factors that travel through the bloodstream to the brain, leading to an inflammatory response in the brain. Long-term inflammatory conditions are strongly linked to the progression of Alzheimer's disease due to the damage to the brain's neural connections that govern memory and cognitive function. Persistent inflammatory conditions can cause damage to nerve cells in the brain, which can adversely affect memory, thinking and decision-making.

The effect of oil on cerebrovascular effects

The accumulation of belly fat is often accompanied by an increase in blood lipid levels and an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to hardening of the arteries and reducing the blood supply to the brain. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for a long time, it will lead to a decline in intellectual performance. Studies have shown that there is a strong link between vascular health and cognitive function, especially in middle-aged and older people, and arteriosclerosis is one of the important factors leading to dementia.

There is a strong link between body fat content and decreased insulin response performance.

Studies have found that abdominal obesity may lead to insulin resistance, which is strongly associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. Not only does insulin play a role in regulating blood sugar, it is also involved in the neuroprotective role of the brain. Insulin insensitivity can cause damage to nerve cells in the brain, increasing the likelihood of developing dementia.

Academic research and empirical data support

Numerous studies have revealed that the link between body fat accumulation and decreased intellectual ability should not be underestimated. A 50-year-old study published in the Journal of Neurology noted that the greater the amount of belly fat, the faster the decline in cognitive function. The researchers found that in adults over the age of 0, abdominal obesity was associated not only with memory loss, but also with a decline in language ability and executive function.

In addition, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also showed that after the age of 20, for every 0 cm increase in waist circumference, the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases by about 0%. This risk is different in men and women, with women having a more pronounced effect on the brain due to hormonal changes.

How can body fat be regulated to avoid cognitive impairment?

Make sure your diet is balanced and balanced

Increase your diet with plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc., which are rich in antioxidants that can slow down brain aging. Reduce your intake of foods rich in fat and sugar to avoid the accumulation of belly fat.

Maintain a consistent habit of physical activity.

Aerobic activities such as jogging, snorkeling, cycling, etc., can not only promote fat burning, but also improve the function of the cardiovascular system and improve blood flow to the brain. Studies have shown that individuals who exercise regularly are far less likely to develop dementia than those who have been physically inactive for a long time.

Maintain excellent mental health

Heavy psychological burden can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body, which will increase the chance of fat accumulation. Maintaining a good mental state and avoiding long-term stress and anxiety contributes to the health of the body and the maintenance of brain function.

Regularly pre-set the overall health screening process.

Regularly monitor health indicators such as blood glucose levels, blood lipid status and blood pressure readings to detect potential health risks early and prevent adverse effects of excessive body fat accumulation.

As we age, the accumulation of fat in different parts of the body not only affects physical appearance, but can also be a serious threat to health, especially to the brain. Especially after the age of 50, the accumulation of belly fat, neck fat and visceral fat may become an invisible killer of Alzheimer's disease. Early adoption of effective fat management measures and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are key to preventing cognitive decline. Whether it is yourself or the elders around you, you should be alert to the health crisis caused by fat and prepare for your brain health in advance.

Proofread by Zhuang Wu