A new study reveals a compelling link: fitter bodies and stronger muscles can keep your brain young and sharp, significantly impacting brain health. Researchers found that individuals with greater muscle mass and less abdominal fat tend to possess healthier, more youthful brains.
According to Jadeh Makhsoos news agency, Dr. Cyrus Raji, the study’s lead author and an associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine, emphasized this connection. He stated that healthier bodies with more muscle mass and less abdominal fat are more likely to have healthier, younger brains. While calendar aging typically leads to muscle loss and increased hidden abdominal fat, this research directly links these physical metrics to brain aging.
The research team analyzed whole-body MRI images from nearly 1,200 healthy adults. Their goal was to identify the ideal body profile for healthy brain aging. Raji noted in a news release that scientists have long hypothesized about the relationship between body composition biomarkers and brain health.
For this new study, Raji’s team collected whole-body MRI scans from 1,164 healthy men and women, averaging about 55 years old. They combined MRI data with a specialized technology. This technology makes tissues appear bright in fat deposition areas and dark in fluid-rich regions. Researchers then used AI algorithms to determine each person’s muscle and fat levels, including both subcutaneous and visceral fat, along with their estimated ‘brain age’.
Jadeh Makhsoos reports, the study identified a clear ideal body profile. Raji explained, ‘Participants with more muscle had younger brains.’ Conversely, individuals with more hidden abdominal fat relative to their muscle mass showed older brains. Subcutaneous fat, however, showed no link to brain aging. In essence, more muscle and a lower visceral fat-to-muscle ratio correlated with a younger brain.
Raji highlighted the broad implications for overall brain health. He stated that better brain health, in turn, reduces the risk of future neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. He advises reducing fat, especially visceral fat, while simultaneously maintaining muscle mass. This approach offers the best benefits for brain aging and long-term brain health.
The rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs means many people will consider these medications to help reduce excess fat. However, the study authors caution that GLP-1s can also reduce muscle volume. Therefore, a balanced approach remains crucial for optimal physical and mental well-being.