Renegade Neurologist

Research scientists have long suspected that a relationship existed between

obesity and a decline in brain power. New studies now confirm the contention

that being overweight is detrimental to the brain. Researchers at the University of California

in an article published in the Archives of Neurology demonstrated a strong

correlation between central obesity (that is, being fat around the middle) and

shrinkage of a part of the brain ( the hippocampus) fundamental for memory (as

measured on MRI scans).

(abstract available online at: http://archneur.ama-assn.org).

In fact, other researchers have shown that excess body fat is strongly related to the

actual brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. (http://www.neurology.org).

Why this relationship? Several reasons, First, excess body fat increases

the production of the chemical mediators of inflammation and damaging free

radicals, both fundamental to Alzheimer’s (and Parkinson’s I might add) Second,

body fat stores environmental toxins. Third, obesity is associated with

increased risk of other problems bad for the brain like hypertension anddiabetes.

So slim down and save your brain. Remember (and hopefully you can),

Alzheimer’s is preventable.