Is your weight putting you at risk for Alzheimer’s?

It’s the holidays and soon the New Year will be upon us so everyone is starting to think about losing that extra weight.

After all, it’s estimated that over 21 percent of people make a New Year’s resolution to drop those extra pounds each year.

And, according to a new study, you may have even more reason than ever to want to diet right and get in shape.

That’s because that spare tire around your middle along with those love handles and saddlebags could be putting you at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Let’s take a look…

High body mass index equals high risk

The study at University College London analyzed data from 1.3 million adults living in the United States and Europe.

Here’s what they found…

People who have a high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to develop dementia than those with a normal weight

In fact, the researchers found that up to two decades before symptomatic dementia, higher BMI predicted dementia occurrence.

For each 5-unit increase in BMI there was a 16-33 percent higher risk of dementia.

To put that in perspective, 5 BMI units is almost 32 pounds. For a person who is 5’7″ tall, this works out to the difference in weight between the overweight and normal weight categories or between the obese and overweight categories.

So, if your weight could be the cause behind the development of Alzheimer’s, what can you do to take it off?

Natural ways to lose weight that work even during the holidays

I can hear you now…

There’s just no way to start losing weight during the holidays. After all, there are so many parties and so much great food. But, don’t give up yet. There are time tested ways to lose weight even during this busy and temptation-filled season.

Try these:

1. Write down everything you eat – Keeping a food journal makes you more aware of the foods you’re choosing to put into your body and how many calories you’re consuming. Write down everything you eat and drink for at least a week and then try to figure out areas where you can cut back. These could be sauces and condiments, sugary drinks or even that bedtime snack.
2. Stick to water – You could be getting a lot more calories than you realize from drinks alone. After all, a single soda has 150 calories, that white chocolate mocha at your favorite coffee shop has up to 580 calories and a glass of that holiday favorite, eggnog, rings in at 223 calories. Stick to water instead to watch the pounds melt away.
3. Chew your food longer – Eating on the run can pack on the pounds and who isn’t running at this time of year. This is a big problem since it can take your stomach time to send your brain the signal to stop eating. Try to chew each bite of food at least 20 times to give your stomach time to catch up and let you know you’re full.
4. Prepare for parties – Going into a holiday party unprepared can result in you eating far more than you ever intended. Instead, have a healthy snack packed with good fats and protein first so that you won’t be tempted by those sugary, carb-filled treats.
5. Don’t skip breakfast – Skipping breakfast gets your metabolism going and keeps it going throughout the day. So, rise and shine and eat a healthy breakfast to start your holidays right.
6. Get moving – you’ve got a lot to do at this time of the year but don’t use it as an excuse to skip out on your exercise. Get out and take a walk, hit the gym or even go dancing to keep your metabolism revved.

Weight problems could put you on the fast track to memory loss and dementia. Give yourself the gift of a healthy body this holiday season and stave off Alzheimer’s.