Reducing fat around the belly and arms while building muscle strength may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, according to a study from Sichuan University in China.
The study highlights specific body fat areas associated with increased neurodegenerative disease risk. Researchers found that those with significant fat stored around their stomach or arms have a higher likelihood of developing diseases such as Alzheimer's. Conversely, high muscle strength appears to reduce this risk.
Dr Huan Song, who led the study, suggests targeted interventions such as resistance training, reducing sedentary behaviour, and adopting a balanced diet could be more effective than general weight control or weight-loss drugs.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, analysed data from 412,000 people in the UK Biobank, with an average age of 56, over nine years. During this period, 8,224 participants developed neurodegenerative diseases, predominantly Alzheimer's, other forms of dementia, and Parkinson's. The researchers suggest the link between fat and neurodegenerative diseases may be due to an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, which elevate the risk of these conditions. Excess abdominal fat, in particular, often surrounds vital organs, exacerbating health risks.
Additionally, a separate study by researchers from Australia and the UK found that reducing anxiety levels can lower the risk of developing dementia. Among 2,132 participants, those with high anxiety levels had up to 3.2 times higher risk of dementia compared to less anxious individuals. Notably, if anxiety was resolved, there was no increased risk of dementia.
