Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 3: A recent study has highlighted that low blood levels of choline, a nutrient essential for liver function and controlling inflammation, could be one of the ways obesity accelerates cognitive decline and raises the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from Arizona State University noted that conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance can strain blood vessels and metabolic systems, gradually speeding up cognitive decline and increasing Alzheimer’s risk.

The study, published in Aging and Disease, examined 30 young adults in their 20s and 30s—half with obesity and half of healthy weight. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for circulating choline, inflammatory markers, insulin and glucose levels, liver enzymes, and neurofilament light chain (NfL), a protein released when nerve cells are damaged.

Results revealed that obese participants had unusually low choline levels, which correlated with higher body fat, liver dysfunction, insulin resistance, and elevated inflammatory cytokines. NfL levels were also higher in obese participants and negatively correlated with choline levels, mirroring patterns seen in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s patients.

Lead researcher Ramon Velazquez of ASU’s Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center said, “This research reinforces the importance of sufficient daily choline intake, as it is essential for human health and a valuable marker of metabolic and brain dysfunction.”

The findings suggest monitoring choline and related metabolic markers in early adulthood could help assess Alzheimer’s risk, especially in individuals prone to obesity. The researchers also noted that the study’s modest sample size and lack of cognitive assessments mean further research with larger, more diverse groups is needed to confirm the trends.