Medical professionals and patients commonly believe that weight reduction at any age enhances wellbeing and lessens disease risks. A study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev revealed fresh insights.
The work appears in the journal GeroScience. Researchers examined how obesity and subsequent fat loss impact mice of various ages. On one hand, shedding pounds indeed restored healthy metabolism in both young rodents and middle-aged rodents. Blood glucose levels stabilized, confirming the advantage of slimming for metabolic health. Yet, the situation with the brain proved more intricate. In the middle-aged animals, inflammation intensified in the hypothalamus, which governs appetite and energy balance, among other functions.
Brain inflammation is linked to poorer memory, decreased cognitive abilities, and the onset of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
In the research, the inflammatory response persisted for several weeks before slowly subsiding. Although long-term outcomes remain uncertain, the mere presence of such a bodily reaction causes concern among scientists.
The report’s authors observe that overweight middle-aged individuals still need to slim down. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consider diet and weight loss’s effect on the brain. This implies that the strategy for slimming down ought to be more considered. One cannot simply restrict calories or drastically alter one’s eating plan. It is vital to monitor how the body responds to these alterations.
About the Author
