Mental Test Spots Alzheimer's Risk (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- A new questionnaire may helpin both diagnosing older adults facing dementia and also in identifyingindividuals who need help with daily living.

The location of your fat is important. Fat around your midsection is the most harmful. It's deep inside your belly and surrounds your internal organs. Abdominal fat is correlated with high insulin levels and cardiovascular disease. A new study associated a pot belly with a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Spot reducing does not work. However there are a few ways to help reduce this dangerous belly fat.

1. Lift Weights

Recent studies have showed that women who lift weights two or more times a week can reduce their stores of abdominal fat. As we age abdominal fat, pot bellies, beer bellies and spare tires become prevalent. A study showed that women who lifted weights as they aged had one third of the increase in intra-abdominal fat as the control group.

Also remember, the more muscle you have the more fat you will burn. Calories will be used as energy and not stored as fat.

2. Use CLA

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid, has been shown to reduce abdominal obesity. A study in Norway found that people who took 3000 mg of CLA for 3 months had a 20 percent reduction in dicreatine malate fat and a five percent increase in lean muscle.

In a different double blind month long study of 25 men the abdominal diameter (waist measurement) of those taking CLA was significantly reduced. The drop in waist measurement was an average of 1.4 cm. (Over half an inch.) Better yet, none of the men changed their eating habits or exercise routine during this month long study.

3. Eliminate Refined Carbohydrates

Eating refined carbohydrates causes the pancreas to produce too much insulin. Too much insulin causes your cells to lose their ability to respond to insulin. And thus more insulin is produced.

A drawback of too much insulin is that it triggers the body to manufacture fat cells. Fat cells actually tell the brain to eat to fill them up. Unfortunately, these fat cells more often than not become abdominal fat. This increases your risk of metabolic syndrome, heart disease and diabetes.

Abdominal fat is deep inside the body and wrapped around the internal organs. To significantly decrease your pot belly and improve your health put these three things into effect in your life. They can help you get rid of this dangerous belly fat.

Lifting weights as part of your exercise routine can stop abdominal fat from being created in the first place. And it will reduce belly fat once it has already taken shape.

Eliminating refined carbohydrates from your diet will help to reduce your insulin resistance and keep your pot belly from emerging. Research has shown that CLA can reduce abdominal fat, increase your fat metabolism and improve insulin sensitivity.

And getting rid of your spare tire might even keep you from getting Alzheimer's disease.

Linda Tremer has studied nutrition, weight loss and fitness for over 30 years. She is the owner of the website The Center For Weight Loss and Healthy Living. Her site is dedicated to helping you lose weight. Many weight loss programs and healthy diet plans are reviewed on her site. More health and weight loss articles can be found at the Center For Weight Loss and Healthy Living. Email me if you have a health topic you would like me to write about.