The bigger the waistline, the smaller the brain? Shocking new research links obesity to less gray matter

The bigger the waistline, the smaller the brain? Shocking new research links obesity to less gray matter

( Natural News ) Excess body fat is a sign that more serious health issues are en route. Several studies show that obesity is a precursor to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. Now, a shocking new study links obesity to less gray matter . As the brain shrinks, a person becomes at greater risk for serious conditions such as dementia. This is terrible news for a majority of people living in the United States. About 75 percent of adult males and 60 percent of adult females fall into the overweight or obese category. What they don’t know is that their brain is getting smaller, not because of age, not because of genetics. The research, published by the American Academy of Neurology , compared body mass index (BMI), waste-to-hip ratio, and total fat mass, with the MRI brain scan of 9,652 people. Out of this cohort, nineteen percent were either overweight or obese. According to MRI scans of this group, those with the greatest BMI and waist-to-hip ratio also had the lowest gray matter volume. The researchers adjusted for other factors that affect brain mass, including physical activity levels, high blood pressure, smoking, and age. The study concluded, “The combination of heightened BMI and WHR may be an important risk factor for gray matter atrophy.” When the orbitofrontal cortex shrinks, a person becomes more impulsive; this can lead to a downward spiral of uncontrolled eating habits. As the fat builds, the excess fat cells also release hormones that trigger inflammation. This inflammation further hinders the brain cells, impairing memory. Staying in shape and protecting the brain cells are equally important The gray matter of the brain contains most of the nerve cells. These nerve cells are associated with things like physical movement, coordination, and self control. The cause and […]

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