Fluid intelligence is the type of intelligence that has to do with short-term memory and the ability to think quickly, logically, and abstractly in order to solve new problems. It in young adulthood, levels out for a period of time, and then starts to slowly decline as we age. But aging is inevitable, scientists are finding out that certain changes in brain function may not be.
One study found that muscle loss and the of body fat around the abdomen are associated with a decline in fluid intelligence. This suggests the that lifestyle factors might help prevent or this type of decline.
The researchers looked at data that measurements of lean muscle and abdominal fat from more than 4,000 middle-to-older-aged men and women and that data to reported changes in fluid intelligence over a six-year period. They found that middle-aged people higher measures of abdominal fat worse on measures of fluid intelligence as the years .
For women, the association may be to changes in immunity that resulted from excess abdominal fat, in men, the immune system did not appear to be . It is hoped that future studies could these differences and perhaps lead to different for men and women.
, there are steps you can to help reduce abdominal fat and maintain lean muscle mass as you age in order to protect both your physical and mental . The two highly recommended lifestyle approaches are maintaining or increasing your of aerobic exercise and following a Mediterranean-style that is high in fiber and eliminates highly processed foods.