Khaberni - Do you think the impact of fast food is limited to weight gain or increased cholesterol? A recent scientific study from the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina (UNC) reveals that the damage could extend to your brain and memory much faster than you might imagine.
In an experiment published this week in the scientific journal Neuron, researchers found that a high-fat diet – similar to traditional fast food such as burgers and fries – can disrupt memory functions within just 4 days, and may increase the risk of long-term cognitive impairment.
How do fats attack your brain?
The researchers explained that the problem lies in the effect of these foods on the "hippocampus," the part responsible for processing memory and learning in the brain.
According to the study conducted on lab mice, fast food forces specific neuronal cells in the hippocampus, known as "CCK intermediary neurons," to become "hyperactive;" this is due to the high-fat diet hindering the brain's ability to effectively receive glucose (sugar), and the study found this to be associated with a protein called PKM2, which controls how brain cells use energy.
This overactivity hinders the hippocampus's ability to process information and memories, even just a few days after consuming saturated fats.
Surprising Results
Lab mice were put on a high-fat diet mimicking fast food before undergoing behavioral tests, and within just 4 days, the results showed that the CCK neurons in the memory center of the brain became abnormally active.
These findings indicate that fast food can affect the brain almost immediately, and long before physical symptoms such as weight gain or diabetes appear.
The lead researcher in the study, Dr. Song, who is a member of the UNC Neuroscience Center, commented: "We knew that diet could affect brain health, but we did not expect to find a particular group of neurons so fragile and directly affected by short-term exposure to a high-fat diet." She added, "What surprised us most was the speed of change in the activity of these cells in response to decreased glucose availability, and how this shift alone was sufficient to impair memory."
Can the damage be repaired?
The good news is that the research team not only discovered the problem but also found that calming hyperactive neurons and repairing memory issues can be achieved by modifying the diet.
The researchers discovered that some dietary interventions, such as intermittent fasting after consuming high-fat meals, were sufficient to return CCK cells to their normal activity and improve memory functions.
Dr. Song says: "This work highlights how quickly what we eat can affect brain health, and how early interventions, whether through fasting or medication, can protect memory and reduce the risk of long-term cognitive problems associated with obesity."
Research in Progress
This research is ongoing to gain a deeper understanding of the role of glucose-sensitive neurons in supporting memory and brain functions, and the team is exploring the effects of lifestyle modifications, such as diets that help stabilize glucose levels in the brain, to see if they offer protective benefits, especially regarding Alzheimer's disease
