Skip to main content

Women with wider hips may suffer memory loss later

London, July 15 (IANS) Women now have yet another reason to shed extra fats as a study shows that those having wider hips are more likely to suffer from the problem of memory loss later in life.
A group of scientists in the US observed 8,745 women, aged 65-79, on the basis of marks obtained by them in a specific test.
Although all the women were classified as 'cognitively normal', the results revealed differences linked to weight and body shape.
Test scores dropped by a point for every one-point increase in body mass index (BMI), a standard measurement based on weight and height, Daily Mail reported citing a report published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society.
Being overweight was generally associated with reduced memory and brain function. But overweight pear-shaped women were more affected than 'apples' with thick waists.
The experts suspect this is because of the type of fat deposited around the hips.
'Obesity is bad, but its effects are worse depending on where the fat is located,' said study leader Diana Kerwin, from Northwestern University in Chicago.
Fat cells release immune system signalling molecules called cytokines that may affect the brain, the researchers said.
Different kinds of fat are known to release different cytokines that have various effects on blood fats, blood pressure and the way the body responds to insulin.
'We need to find out if one kind of fat is more detrimental than the other, and how it affects brain function,' said Kerwin.
'The fat may contribute to the formation of plaques (brain deposits) associated with Alzheimer's disease or a restricted blood flow to the brain.'
She added: 'This study tells us if we have a woman in our office, and we know from her waist-to-hip ratio that she's carrying excess fat on her hips, we might be more aggressive with weight loss. We can't change where your fat is located, but having less of it is better.'

Popular posts from this blog

Thyroid - Hypothyroid - Meaning - Causes - Symptoms - Treatment

What is Hypothyroid? Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to "run the body's metabolism," it is understandable that people with this condition will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism. Causes About three percent of the general population is hypothyroidic. Factors such as iodine deficiency or exposure to Iodine can increase that risk. There are a number of causes for hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide. In iodine-replete individuals hypothyroidism is generally caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or otherwise as a result of either an absent thyroid gland or a deficiency in stimulating hormones from the hypothalamus or pituitary.
Read more

Warts - Meaning - Causes - Treatment

A wart is generally a small, rough tumor, typically on hands and feet but often other locations, that can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. Warts are common, and are caused by a viral infection, specifically by the human papillomavirus and are contagious when in contact with the skin of an infected person. It is also possible to get warts from using towels or other objects used by an infected person. They typically disappear after a few months but can last for years and can recur. Cause Warts are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus or HPV. There are approximately 130 strains of human papilloma viruses. People with week immune system are at the greater risk of this disease. Will warts go away on their own? Often warts disappear on their own, although it may take many months or even years for the warts to go away. But some warts won't go away on their own. Doctors are not sure why some warts disappear and others do not. Treatment Warts can be remov...
Read more

Choking

Choking is the kind of emergency in which the chance of getting the victim to a doctor in time is almost nil. Without immediate help, the person can die, or at least suffer permanent brain damage, within four minutes. That is all the more reason for you to keep your wits about you and familiarise yourself with the skills and techniques that might one day save a life - including your own. Cough it out: If the airway is only partially obstructed, violent coughing and sputtering will generally dislodge the obstructing mass. Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre: If the victim is not getting air, and his/her throat is blocked, don't wait for medical help. Take first-aid steps for choking immediately. Stand behind the victim and wrap your arms around his waist. Place your fist with the thumb side against the victim's abdomen slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. Grasp your fist with your other hand and pull it into the victim's abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repe...
Read more