Beijing: A study has found that having more fat accumulated in the arms or abdomen increases the chances of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Conducted at Sichuan University in China, the study revealed that individuals with stronger muscles are less likely to develop these diseases compared to those with weaker muscles.
According to the researchers, reducing fat in the arms and torso for healthy muscle growth can be more effective in preventing these diseases than overall weight loss.
The results showed that individuals with higher amounts of belly fat were 13% more likely to develop these diseases compared to those with less belly fat.
Individuals with higher amounts of arm fat had an 18% higher likelihood of being affected by these diseases compared to those with less arm fat.
Those with greater muscle strength had a 26% lower risk of developing these diseases compared to individuals with less muscle strength.
The author of the study, Huan Song, from the university, stated that these neurological diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, affect more than 60 million people globally.
As the population ages, the number of affected individuals is expected to increase, making it essential to innovate ways to identify risk factors for better treatment strategies.