If you need that extra nudge to give you the motivation to lose weight, consider this: numerous studies have shown a direct link between being overweight to a loss of brain function. The theory is that being overweight leads to brain atrophy, the loss of brain cells.
Body Mass Index
Being overweight is measured by the Body Mass Index, or BMI. This is a calculation of your height and weight (it doesn’t account for muscle mass). You can calculate this for yourself by taking your weight in pounds, multiplying it by 705 then dividing that by your height in inches. A BMI of 25 is considered overweight, and at 30 is obese.
Recent Studies Link a High BMI to Memory Loss
A 2006 study at the Toulouse University School of Medicine, France, followed over 2,000 men and women ages 32 to 62 for ten years. From 1996 to 2006 they tracked the Body Mass Index of participants and periodically administered tests measuring memory and attention. Their results show a linear relationship between BMI and delayed recall, meaning that, overall, as participants BMI”s increased, their ability to remember items decreased.
Researchers have two theories as to why this happens. Since being overweight adversely affects the heart and blood vessels, it may also affect the brain its blood vessels as well as brain cells. Their second theory is that it raises the body’s insulin levels which may affect brain cells and functioning. Researchers agree that more work needs to be done to determine the exact link.
Obesity and Brain Atrophy
A 2004 study at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden and the Medical College of Wisconsin reported that being overweight long-term leads to a loss of brain tissue, called brain atrophy. Brain atrophy has been linked to dementia and impaired memory function.
The study followed almost 300 middle-aged to elderly women for 24 years and noted that being overweight increases the risk of brain atrophy in the temporal lobe, which is associated with language, memory and hearing. In this study, the risk of brain atrophy increased 13 to 16% with each increase in Body Mass Index.
Causes Of Memory Loss
While no one knows for sure the causes of memory loss, there are some factors we can easily prevent. Clearly there is a link between body weight and brain functioning and, while we don’t necessarily know exactly why it happens, we do know that increasing BMI”s can harm the brain. We also know that a healthy diet rich in complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and fruits and vegetables is optimal for brain function. And there is enough information available supporting the use of exercise to increase mental clarity and energy.
Try a natural solution to increase memory and focus.
Sources:
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1031002537.html
http://men.webmd.com/guide/weight-loss-bmi
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20061009/excess-weight-poor-memory-linked
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20041122/obesity-may-lead-to-brain-loss
