We all want to keep our minds sharp as we age.
But there’s more to it than playing computer brain games or taking the latest, greatest magic bullet pill.
In fact, research reveals a SURPRISING link to “slower thinking” that you may be overlooking.
Here’s everything you need to know…
An important measurement
For this study, researchers followed more than 9,000 healthy men and women, ages 30 to 75 years, for about eight years. The participants underwent a battery of tests assessing cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and body composition.
They also took several cognitive tests to assess attention skills, concentration, eye-hand coordination, the ability to learn or calculate new information, and short-term memory.
As you might expect, the men and women who had more total body fat (or more abdominal fat, specifically) had a much higher risk of developing blood pressure and Type II diabetes.
But that’s not all…
They also had much SLOWER THINKING in cognitive testing!
In fact, the researchers found an “inverse association” between overall body fat and brain processing speed. In other words, the more body fat a person had…the slower their thinking speed.
Granted, body fat did not appear to impact memory or verbal ability. And the researchers couldn’t determine whether or not losing weight might reverse these brain effects.
But some research does show that MAJOR changes in weight after age 60 (including losses as well as gains) may do more harm than good. Including potentially INCREASING your risk of developing dementia.
Maintain a stable waistline in your golden years
In the end, I think we should take this new study at face value and conclude that carrying A LOT of extra belly fat can make your brain feel slow and lethargic.
So, to keep your brain firing on all pistons, you’ll want to avoid packing on excess pounds as you get older.
To keep your weight at a healthy, steady number, I suggest cutting out ultra-processed foods (the real culprits in weight gain).
Then, fill your plate with all the satisfying foods that belong to a Mediterranean-type diet, including grass-fed and -finished, free-range, organic meats; wild-caught fish and seafood; full-fat dairy, including cheese; nuts and seeds; fresh fruits and vegetables; and alcohol in moderation.
Also, aim to get about 140 to 150 minutes of light-to-moderate exercise weekly. Science shows this weekly total is the optimal amount for improving longevity and warding off chronic diseases like dementia.
Some of my favorite ways to stay active include casual walks in Nature, gardening, hiking, and swimming. You may find you can do MORE of these activities at a stable, healthy weight.
In fact, I remember when I was working with the former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, he often complained of knee pain. And he was considering getting a knee replacement surgery. But after he lost 20 pounds, he no longer needed the surgery and said he felt better than ever!
Finally, for additional, drug-free ways to prevent and even reverse dementia, check out my online learning tool, my Complete Alzheimer’s Fighting Protocol.