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Weight loss improved memory performance in obese women
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SAN FRANCISCO — Obese women who followed the Paleolithic diet demonstrated improved memory performance, according to data presented here at ENDO 2013.
“Prevous studies suggest obesity is associated with impaired memory functions, lowered processing speed, impaired executive function and reduced attention,” Andreas Pettersson, MD, a PhD student at Umea University in Sweden, said during a presentation here.
Andreas Pettersson
As part of a larger diet-focused study, Pettersson and colleagues randomly assigned 9 overweight postmenopausal women (mean age, 61 years) to a Paleolithic diet for 6 months (30% protein, 30% carbohydrates and 40% fat, with a high content of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids), and 11 women were assigned to a diet using the Nordic nutrition recommendations (15% protein, 55% carbohydrates and 30% fat, with a high content of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids).
According to a data, BMI decreased from 32.1 kg/m2 at baseline to 29.2 kg/m2 at 6 months, and the average weight decreased from 188.9 lb (85 kg) to 171.3 lb (77.1 kg).
The insula, superior temporal gyrus, and medial temporal gyrus regions of the brain improved as a result of the weight loss, according to Pettersson.
“The take home message from this talk is that obesity seems to be associated with impaired memory. Diet-induced weight loss improves memory performance and weight loss may improve brain efficiency during episodic memory testing,” he said. – by Samantha Costa
For more information:
Pettersson A. #OR09-6. Presented at: The Endocrine Society Annual Meeting and Expo; June 15-18, 2013; San Francisco.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.