Scaling Up, Slowing Down: The Weight and Brain Connection
MRI (magnetic resonance image) of overweight body on the left vs. healthy human body on the right. Insane difference of fat right?
Does your body weight affect your brain?
Research says yes.
In my conversation with Dr. Cyrus Raji, a research and groundbreaking radiologist, we discussed his discovery in 2010: as your weight increases, your brain's volume decreases.
Over the last decade, the rates of obesity have only increased. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, once considered illnesses of old age, are showing up earlier and more frequently in those who are overweight.
If our society is normalizing being overweight, are we also normalizing a future where cognitive decline is inevitable for many of us?
Brain Atrophy: Could It Be Happening Right Now?
Brain atrophy, the slow shrinkage of the brain, has been found by research to start up to 20 years before the first signs of dementia.
Think about that… 20 years before you even notice memory issues, your brain could already be in the process of deteriorating. For those carrying extra weight in their midlife years (40-60 years old), this decline often begins sooner.
But here’s the real question: if brain atrophy is happening right now, what can you do to stop it?
Why does weight gain lead to brain shrinkage?
The answer is found in your brain’s white matter. A part of the brain responsible for fast communication between neurons also known as axon myelination . As body weight increases, this white matter starts to break down. Picture this: the highways in your brain slowly turn into bumpy back roads, making your thoughts travel way slower or even in wrong directions.
Are We Living Up to Our Potential?
Here’s another insane fact: the human body has the potential to live for 120 years, but the average lifespan in the U.S. is only 77.
Our lifestyle choices, especially normalizing weight gain, are accelerating the aging of both our bodies and brains? If we know what’s harming us, why aren’t we making changes?
Stay alive, stay sharp.
To live longer doesn’t mean just adding years to your life, but rather making sure those years are lived with a sharp mind and a healthy body.
Maintaining your mental clarity starts with the food you eat, your sleeping habits and exercise routines. As much as Dr. Raji and I discussed the effects of weight loss drugs and how this could potentially help reduce the effects of Alzheimer's.
Natural changes last longer, work better, and maintain your overall physical and mental health in the process. The choices you make today could determine whether you’re enjoying your 80s with a clear mind or struggling with cognitive decline much earlier than expected.
What steps will you take to keep your brain healthy?
