Seoul, South Korea – A new study has revealed that maintaining a healthy metabolism, rather than simply focusing on weight, may be crucial in preventing Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, suggests that individuals who are overweight but metabolically healthy may have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's.

A joint research team led by Professor Kang Sung-hoon of the Department of Neurology at Korea University Guro Hospital and Professor Seo Sang-won of Samsung Medical Center analyzed the impact of weight and metabolic syndrome on the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease-causing substances and disease progression.

The study included 1,736 Korean adults aged 45 and over. Participants were categorized by body mass index (BMI) into underweight, normal weight, and obese groups. Each group was further divided into metabolically healthy and metabolic syndrome groups based on the presence of metabolic syndrome components.

The results showed that the proportion of participants with elevated levels of amyloid beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, was highest in the underweight group (73.9%), followed by the normal weight group (46.9%) and the obese group (37.0%). However, this protective effect of obesity against amyloid accumulation was only observed in those who were metabolically healthy. Obese individuals with metabolic syndrome had a higher proportion of amyloid beta positivity (42.5%) compared to those without metabolic syndrome (29.6%).

Additionally, the study found that obese individuals with metabolic health had larger hippocampal volumes, better cognitive function, and slower rates of cognitive decline compared to other groups.

"Our study suggests that metabolic health plays a crucial role in the relationship between weight and Alzheimer's disease," said Professor Kang. "Given that weight and metabolic syndrome can be modified through diet, exercise, and medication, these findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy metabolism in preventing Alzheimer's disease."

The researchers believe that this study provides valuable insights for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. They suggest that lifestyle modifications, such as adopting a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity, may help to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, especially when combined with emerging treatments.

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