Loss of muscle mass linked to higher dementia risk, study finds
Curtin University research shows age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, raises dementia risk by 42%, highlighting the importance of muscle health in aging.
Key Takeaways
AIA recent study by researchers at Curtin University has found that loss of muscle mass and strength with age may be an important indicator of increased dementia risk.
According to Medical Xpress, the researchers reviewed more than 80 studies examining the relationship between body weight, body fat, muscle health, and dementia.
The results showed that people with muscle wasting, known as sarcopenia, were 42% more likely to develop dementia.
Sarcopenia is a condition in which a person gradually loses muscle mass, strength, and physical function, and it is often associated with aging.
The study, published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, noted that the impact of obesity on dementia risk varies by age group.
Obesity in midlife (before age 65) was linked to a 9% higher risk of dementia, while obesity after age 65 was associated with a 17% lower risk.
Dr. Yuraiporn Burannasuksakul from Burapha University emphasized that body weight alone does not provide a complete picture of dementia risk, stressing the importance of maintaining muscle strength and function as people age.
He noted that regular physical activity and good nutrition support muscle health.
The study also examined "sarcopenic obesity," a condition combining muscle weakness and excess fat, and found no statistically significant association with dementia.
Professor Mario Siervo from Curtin School of Population Health explained that the relationship between body weight, aging, and dementia is complex and requires further long-term studies.
The study was led by researchers from the Curtin University Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Dementia, in collaboration with colleagues from Australia, the UK, Canada, Thailand, and Italy.