Brain Health Boost: Muscle Mass May Keep Your Brain Years Younger

Researchers reported that individuals with more muscle mass and lower visceral fat to muscle ratio tend to exhibit signs of a younger biological brain age. This conclusion was drawn from a study that will be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) next week. Visceral fat refers to the fat stored deep in the abdomen around key internal organs. According to senior study author Cyrus Raji, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of radiology and neurology in the Department of Radiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), "Healthier bodies with more muscle mass and less hidden belly fat are more likely to have healthier, youthful brains." The study found that individuals with higher muscle mass and lower visceral fat to muscle ratio had a lower biological brain age, indicating a healthier brain. The study involved analyzing data from over 5,000 individuals who underwent brain scans and body fat measurements. Researchers used a technique called brain age analysis to determine the biological age of each participant's brain. The results showed that individuals with higher muscle mass and lower visceral fat to muscle ratio had a lower biological brain age, indicating a healthier brain. This study provides new insights into the relationship between body composition and brain health. Previous research has shown that visceral fat is associated with various health risks, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, this study suggests that visceral fat may also contribute to brain aging. The findings of this study have significant implications for public health. As the global population ages, understanding the factors that contribute to brain health and aging is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. According to Dr. Raji, "Our study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy body composition, particularly muscle mass and visceral fat levels, to promote brain health and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline." The study's results also have implications for the development of new treatments for age-related cognitive decline. Researchers are exploring the use of exercise and diet interventions to reduce visceral fat and promote muscle mass, with the goal of improving brain health. The study will be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) next week, and the results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers plan to continue their investigation into the relationship between body composition and brain health, with the goal of identifying new targets for prevention and treatment of age-related cognitive decline.