Does Having Short Legs Increase the Risk of Dementia?

If your legs are supermodel long is your risk of dementia lower? That's what a study seems to suggest. While few would associate the risk of dementia with leg length, there may be some benefits to having long legs - other than just looking good in a skirt. According to a study published in the American Academy of Neurology's journal, shorter legs may be a little known risk factor for Alzheimer's dementia.

Short Legs and the Risk of Dementia

Researchers looked at the both leg length and arm length in 3,608 people with an average age of seventy-two and followed them with serial MRI brain scans and cognitive testing. They found that those who had longer knee lengths and greater arm spans were less likely to develop dementia - compared to those with shorter arms and legs. The risk of dementia was greater in both sexes with shorter leg lengths and arms spans, although it was more pronounced in women than in men.

Why Would Shorter Arms and Legs Increase the Risk of Dementia?

Researchers believe that shorter legs and arms may reflect poor nutrition during childhood which could lead to developmental brain changes that may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia. Some studies have shown that children who are fed a less nutritious diet have a higher risk of dementia later in life.

Diet seems to play an important role in the risk of Alzheimer's dementia with a Mediterranean type diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil being somewhat protective, and one consisting of high carbohydrate processed foods elevating the risk.

A diet of high carbohydrates and processed foods also increases the risk of obesity - another risk factor for Alzheimer's dementia. In turn, obesity raises the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease - all conditions which are associated with a higher risk of dementia.

Limb Length and the Risk of Dementia: The Bottom Line?

The foundation for developing Alzheimer's dementia may be laid down during childhood - during those critical years when the brain is developing - and may be reflected in leg length and arm span. This means it's important for kids to eat a diet high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables - along with the "good fats" found in nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish. Limiting high carbohydrate processed foods offers additional protection by lowering insulin levels and preventing obesity. Even if you have short legs and short arms, you can still lower your risk of Alzheimer's dementia by eating a fruit and veggie rich diet and getting daily aerobic exercise.

References:

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/05/05/short.arms.and.legs.linked.risk.dementia