The Caring Corner®
Obesity and Alzheimer’s
A link between obesity and the development of dementia has been identified by researchers in Europe. It’s connected to a protein known as PPARalpha.
PPARalpha exists in the liver and is needed in fat metabolism. Obese people typically have greater demand for PPARalpha and when reserves in the liver are depleted, the body takes it from other locations, including the hippocampus. PPARalpha in the hippocampus supports learning and memory, so lower PPARalpha in the brain suggests a greater risk of dementia.
This video gives a great overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1_J3OYkAMFM
