Losing weight could signal more loss to come
Your weight—or loss of—could be a harbinger of things to come for your brain, especially if you're a woman.
Research indicates that women begin to lose weight without dieting a decade or two prior to an Alzheimer's disease or dementia diagnosis. This underscores the long-held belief that these aren't diseases you just wake up with one morning. As I've said before, disease processes begin many years prior to becoming full-blown, and these two are no exception.
Medical records were examined for 219 women who were later diagnosed with either Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. At the time of diagnosis, they weighed an average of 12 pounds less than women who did not get dementia.
This does not mean that losing weight itself caused the dementia, but rather a symptom of brain changes that are slowly occurring and affecting behavior.
The lead researcher believes the reason these changes were found in women and not men is because traditionally, women prepare the meals.
If you notice a change in your interest in food, talk to your doctor about it. It does not necessarily signal dementia—it could simply be a change in appetite. However, it doesn't hurt to have yourself checked out.
Also, it's important to keep up with regular eating habits for other reasons, too. The healthiest people I see in my practice usually have a big breakfast, take time for a substantial lunch, and don't overdo it at dinnertime. They also routinely snack mid- morning and/or mid-afternoon, never letting themselves get really hungry. A growling stomach can lead to overeating.
