New research suggests that individuals with high levels of body fat stored in the arms or belly may be more susceptible to diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s than those with low levels of fat in these regions. Additionally, the study discovered that those with higher muscle strength had a lower risk of developing these illnesses.
The prevalence of neurodegenerative illnesses is on the rise. According to an analysis, there will be over 153 million dementia cases globally by the year 2050 [1].
While longer lifespans contribute to some of the increase, research indicates that other factors, such as obesity and physical inactivity, may also raise the likelihood of dementia [2,3]. In contrast, maintaining a healthy weight and regularly exercising may reduce the risk.
Recently, a study utilizing data from the UK Biobank has discovered that the risk of neurodegenerative disorders may be influenced not just by excess weight but also by where the fat is present in the body.
The study, published in Neurology, suggests that extra belly and upper arm fat may increase the risk of these disorders while increased muscle mass may reduce the risk [4].
Belly and Upper Arm Fat Linked with Higher Risk
Researchers examined data from 412,691 individuals who were tracked for an average of nine years. About 8,224 participants in the study experienced neurodegenerative illnesses. Alzheimer’s disease was the most common diagnosis; however, several patients also had Parkinson’s disease or other dementias.
The average age of the participants at the beginning of the trial was 56. The researchers determined their body composition by measuring lean mass and fat, grip strength, bone density, and waist and hip.
Researchers discovered that there was a higher chance of neurodegenerative diseases in those with higher upper arm fat (arm-dominant fat distribution) or belly fat (central obesity).
When they looked at other factors that might affect the prevalence of these conditions (like high blood pressure, smoking and alcohol consumption, and diabetes), they found that adults with high levels of abdominal fat had a 13% increased risk of developing these conditions.
Additionally, compared to those with low levels of arm fat, people with high levels of arm fat had an 18% increased risk of developing the disorders.
High muscle strength seemed to shield against neurodegeneration, while lower risk was associated with higher bone density and leg-dominant fat distribution. Compared to those with low levels of strength, those with high muscle strength had a 26% lower risk of developing the disorders.
These findings are consistent with other studies that revealed a higher risk of dementia development in those with central or abdominal obesity [5]. Another review of multiple studies discovered that weight growth, central obesity, and triceps skinfold thickness (a measure of body fat on the upper arms) were all linked to increased dementia risk [6].
Connection to Heart Health
The researchers propose that cardiovascular illness contributes to the relationship between body fat and neurodegenerative disorder.
Obese and overweight individuals have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
A healthy heart is essential for supplying energy and oxygen to the brain cells, and extra weight can cause fatty material to accumulate in the blood vessels.
One of the authors, Dr. Huan Song of Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, stated that this emphasizes how critical it is to manage these cardiovascular disorders as soon as possible to help stop or delay the onset of degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and others [7].
The researchers examined the ratio of fat distribution across the body rather than the body mass index because they believe this is more significant than just concentrating on weight. If the percentage of arm fat mass exceeded the percentage of total body fat, the person was considered to have “fat arms.”
According to the team, there could be a higher risk because of fat permeating into muscles, leading to tissue malfunction, impaired insulin signaling, and immune system damage. This infiltration can cause adipose and muscle tissue dysfunction, impaired insulin signaling, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The study’s first author, Dr. Shishi Xu of Sichuan University’s Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, stressed that a crucial point to convey was that your health may be more dependent on the type or distribution of your fat and muscle than on your weight in its entirety.
These results emphasize that body fat and muscle composition, as well as their distribution, have a significant effect on the risk of neurodegenerative disorders.
An increased risk of neurodegenerative illnesses is linked to fat buildup in the arms and belly, which appears to have a toxic and inflammatory effect on other organs, such as the cardiovascular system and brain health.
Improving Body Composition May Lessen the Risk
According to Dr Song, this study shows how altering a person’s body composition can reduce their chance of contracting certain diseases. General weight control may not be as successful as targeted therapies to reduce arm and trunk fat and encourage healthy muscular growth to prevent these disorders.
He further stated that more than 60 million individuals worldwide suffer from neurodegenerative illnesses like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and as the population ages, that number is projected to rise. For this reason, we must find ways to modify risk factors to develop some preventive measures.
Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
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References
- Nichols, E., Steinmetz, J.D., Vollset, S.E., Fukutaki, K., Chalek, J., Abd-Allah, F., Abdoli, A., Abualhasan, A., Abu-Gharbieh, E., Akram, T.T. and Al Hamad, H., 2022. Estimation of the global prevalence of dementia in 2019 and forecasted prevalence in 2050: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Public Health, 7(2), pp.e105-e125.
- Ma, Y., Ajnakina, O., Steptoe, A. and Cadar, D., 2020. Higher risk of dementia in English older individuals who are overweight or obese. International journal of epidemiology, 49(4), pp.1353-1365.
- Raichlen, D.A., Aslan, D.H., Sayre, M.K., Bharadwaj, P.K., Ally, M., Maltagliati, S., Lai, M.H., Wilcox, R.R., Klimentidis, Y.C. and Alexander, G.E., 2023. Sedentary behavior and incident dementia among older adults. Jama, 330(10), pp.934-940.
- Xu, S., Wen, S., Yang, Y., He, J., Yang, H., Qu, Y., Zeng, Y., Zhu, J., Fang, F. and Song, H., 2024. Association Between Body Composition Patterns, Cardiovascular Disease, and Risk of Neurodegenerative Disease in the UK Biobank. Neurology, 103(4), p.e209659.
- Whitmer, R.A., Gustafson, D.R., Barrett-Connor, E., Haan, M.N., Gunderson, E.P. and Yaffe, K., 2008. Central obesity and increased risk of dementia more than three decades later. Neurology, 71(14), pp.1057-1064.
- Beydoun, M.A., Beydoun, H.A. and Wang, Y., 2008. Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity reviews, 9(3), pp.204-218.
- Knapton, S. Having fat arms ‘heightens risk of Alzheimer’s by nearly one fifth’. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/24/fat-arms-heightens-risk-of-brain-disease-by-nearly-20pc/. Published Online: 24th July, 2024. Accessed: 16th August, 2024.
- Lang, K. Carrying excess fat in 2 body areas may increase dementia and Parkinson’s risk. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/excess-belly-arm-fat-may-increase-dementia-parkinsons-risk. Published Online: 25th July, 2024. Accessed: 16th August, 2024.
- Rauf, D. Belly and Arm Fat Linked to Higher Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/brain-health/belly-and-arm-fat-linked-to-higher-risk-of-alzheimers-and-parkinsons/. Published Online: 24th July, 2024. Accessed: 16th August, 2024.
