Spare tire, muffin top, jelly belly -- these are just a few terms used to describe what experts often refer to as central obesity (depending on the amount of belly fat present). Aside from increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, a new study in the journal Neurology shows that having an excess of stomach fat may also raise the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

In a 36-year study of over 6,500 men and women, researchers found that being overweight and carrying belly fat made people 2.3 times more likely to develop dementia than people with normal size belly size. Moreover, being obese and having a large belly made people 3.6 times more likely to develop dementia.

To cut your risk of dementia and other health complications, exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week and reduce your intake of fast-digesting, simple carbohydrates (sweets, candy, pastry, white bread, white rice and other refined grains).

Source

Ahhh ... now this is a study I would have paid for myself. Research out of the University of Alcala in Madrid, Spain found that drinking beer may protect against the harmful effects of aluminum on the brain.

In a report published in the January, 2008 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology, Spanish researchers posited that aluminum is neurotoxic, and overexposure to this metal has been implicated for its suspected connection with Alzheimer's disease. Beer, on the other hand, contains silicon, a substance that reduces the buildup up aluminum in the digestive system and the brain.

The study found that consuming silicon in moderately high levels – which can be obtained from drinking about two beers per day - limited aluminum's debilitating effect on the brain.

Source

A growing body of evidence suggests that DHA (a type of omega-3 fatty acid) and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study published in the journal Neurology summarized the findings of a four-year study of over 8,000 French men and women age 65 and older. The study suggests that daily consumption of fruits and vegetables greatly reduces the chances of dementia from all causes. Moreover, the study also suggests that weekly fish consumption -- fish is high in DHA -- was also associated with a reduced risk of dementia from all causes, including Alzheimer's disease in people who lack a specific genotype (apoE4) that, in and of itself, is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's.

Most people have no issue eating fruits and vegetables, but not everyone enjoys fish. Fortunately, there are several other ways to still get DHA in your diet, including nutritional supplementation and healthy fortified foods.

Source

Sure, the caffeine could send you into orbit, and if you're not careful, coffee can stain your teeth. But new research suggests that your must-have morning beverage is actually beneficial to your health in a number of ways.

"Scientific evidence now suggests that moderate coffee consumption 3 to 5 cups a day may be associated with reduced risks of certain disease conditions," says Roger A. Clemens, food expert with the Institute of Food Technologists. Alzheimer's disease, kidney stones, depression and others all may be effected by drinking coffee regularly.

Some research also suggests that coffee acts as a preventative agent against cancer and Parkinson's disease. In fact, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing Parkinson's by half simply by drinking one cup a day.

Good news for me, as I'm on my fourth cup, and it's not even lunch.

Source