New research indicates that certain forms of internal body fat are associated with faster brain aging, even among individuals who are not visibly overweight.
This is important because structural changes in the brain are closely linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
As populations age, identifying early and less obvious risk factors has become a key public health priority.
What the study examined
The research, published in the journal Radiology, is based on MRI scans from nearly 26,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a large British health research database.
Also read: New study: Chlamydia pneumoniae in the eye may worsen Alzheimer’s
Using detailed imaging data, researchers examined fat stored in internal organs, including the pancreas, and compared these measurements with indicators of brain structure and cognitive function.
The focus was not on overall weight, but on where fat is stored within the body.
Internal fat and brain changes
The analysis found that organ-specific fat accumulation was closely linked to markers of accelerated brain aging, including loss of brain tissue.
Importantly, this association was observed not only in people with high levels of internal fat, but also in individuals who did not meet standard definitions of obesity.
Also read: Common pain complaints and when to seek medical help
Traditional measures such as body mass index (BMI) did not reliably reflect neurological risk.
Implications for health assessments
In routine clinical practice, attention is often directed toward BMI or fat in the liver, while fat deposits in other organs receive less scrutiny.
Coverage of the study by SciTechDaily notes that this approach may underestimate the risk of cognitive decline.
The researchers suggest that more precise assessments of internal fat could improve early detection and prevention strategies for brain-related diseases.
Also read: How to tell if the flour in your cupboard is too old
Sources: SciTechDaily, and Radiology.
Also read: These famous people have opened up about their autism