Many scientific studies have shown that "abdominal obesity affects brain cognition" Try these tips to help lose weight in your internal organs →

How to make a handsome young man

Transform into a greasy middle-aged man in a second?

Give him a round beer belly! But you know what?

A big belly not only affects the appearance of the body

Add burden to health

Will it make your brain dumber?!

This is not nonsense -

In recent years, many scientific studies have shown

Abdominal obesity is positively correlated with cognitive ability

In simple terms:

The bigger the belly, the dumber the brain

Abdominal obesity affects brain cognition

What we often call "big belly", "beer belly" and "apple-shaped body" is medically called abdominal obesity.

In addition to subcutaneous fat accumulation, abdominal obesity is also accompanied by fat accumulation in multiple organs such as the liver and intestines, which is why it is called visceral obesity.

In recent years, scientists have discovered that the higher the visceral fat, the more severe the decline in brain cognitive levels.

In April 2023, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, a subsidiary journal of The Lancet, showed that for every 0.27 kg increase in visceral fat, the corresponding cognitive age declines by 0.7 years.

In January 2022, research results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association pointed out that for every 9.2% increase in body fat percentage or 36 ml of visceral fat, the corresponding cognitive function will accelerate aging by one year.

The red subject on the left has more fat in the limbs and abdomen (bright areas), and more black space in the brain. (Image source: Dingxiang Doctor)

As an endocrine organ, visceral adipose tissue releases a variety of inflammatory mediators that can cross the blood-brain barrier, interfere with the normal function of neurons, and affect memory and learning ability.

In addition, since obesity is also closely related to metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and abnormal fat hormones, the combined effects of these abnormalities may have a negative impact on the structure and function of the brain, leading to decreased cognitive ability.

What is the end point of cognitive decline?

It's somewhat related to Alzheimer's disease .

One study found that cognitively normal middle-aged adults with higher visceral fat had more amyloid in a brain region (the right precuneus cortex), one of the early signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Brain scans show higher levels of hidden visceral fat and increased neuroinflammation (yellow). (Image source: Dingxiang Doctor)

Why is fat so powerful?

Fat helps regulate the body's energy balance, hunger and satiety, and even metabolism and inflammatory response by secreting hormones and other active factors. Fat can be good or bad, and visceral fat is the villain.

It causes trouble everywhere in the body, from the smart brain to the hard-working heart, by promoting insulin resistance and increasing inflammation.

Even for people of normal weight, having a large waist circumference can nearly double the risk of premature death.

Learn these tips to help your internal organs lose weight

0 1 Eat more fiber If you want to lose weight successfully, you can't lack fiber. It can make people excrete smoothly and promote metabolism.

Foods rich in fiber include oats, mung beans, tomatoes, grapefruit, etc.

0 2 Limiting your daily calorie intake is also important! If you don't have much activity, it is recommended that you do not consume more calories than your body weight (kg) x 25; if you exercise regularly and have a lot of activity, you should not consume more calories than your body weight (kg) x 35.

0 3 People with excess visceral fat need to exercise for at least half an hour every day. They need to exercise for half an hour to an hour every day, such as running, walking, swimming, cycling, etc.

While consuming energy, ball sports can also stimulate the secretion of adrenaline and help break down fat.

Even if you do not have abdominal obesity, if you are busy with work, sit for long periods of time, have many social engagements, and are in a bad mood, you should adjust your life according to the above methods to prevent problems before they occur.

0 4 Waist slimming exercise + abdominal breathing Lie flat on the ground or on a not-too-soft bed, keep your hands balanced, keep your legs at a 45-degree angle, and lift your feet. Lower your heels to touch the mat, and then return to the 45-degree angle. Repeat 25 times.

Once your waist is arched, return your feet to a 45-degree angle and continue to press your body down until your back is flat on the ground.

Abdominal breathing method: When inhaling, expand the abdomen as much as possible and keep the chest still. When exhaling, contract the abdomen as much as possible and keep the chest still.