Five simple tips to maintain brain health
Focus on your waist size, not weight loss: Studies show that as waist circumference increases, the brain’s memory center shrinks, and prominent signs of Alzheimer’s disease—such as beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles—begin to appear. Researchers say this process, which accelerates dementia, can start as early as age 40 or 50, long before obvious signs of cognitive decline become evident.
This abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, surrounds vital organs deep within the abdomen and typically leads to an increased waist size—though some lean individuals may also have visceral fat, detectable only through scans.
According to experts, visceral fat is metabolically unhealthy because it releases large amounts of inflammatory chemicals that can cause brain atrophy and negatively impact cognition.
Building muscle can also have a positive effect on the brain. Research has shown that strengthening muscles through resistance exercises can improve brain function and help prevent cognitive decline. This process, in addition to enhancing physical strength and endurance, can aid in stress regulation and mood improvement, reducing the risk of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s. Increasing muscle mass also helps burn body fat, which is beneficial for overall brain health.
