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 ( 1 ) in young adulthood, levels out for a period of time, and then ( 2 ) starts to slowly decline as we age. But ( 3 ) aging is inevitable, scientists are finding out that certain changes in brain function may not be.
One study found that muscle loss and the ( 4 ) of body fat around the abdomen are associated with a decline in fluid intelligence. This suggests the ( 5 ) that lifestyle factors might help prevent or ( 6 ) this type of decline.
The researchers looked at data that ( 7 ) measurements of lean muscle and abdominal fat from more than 4,000 middle-to-older-aged men and women and ( 8 ) that data to reported changes in fluid intelligence over a six-year period. They found that middle-aged people ( 9 ) higher measures of abdominal fat ( 10 ) worse on measures of fluid intelligence as the years ( 11 ) .
For women, the association may be ( 12 ) to changes in immunity that resulted from excess abdominal fat; in men, the immune system did not appear to be ( 13 ) . It is hoped that future studies could ( 14 ) these differences and perhaps lead to different ( 15 ) for men and women.
( 16 ) there are steps you can ( 17 ) to help reduce abdominal fat and maintain lean muscle mass as you age in order to protect both your physical and mental ( 18 ) The two highly recommended lifestyle approaches are maintaining or increasing your ( 19 ) of aerobic exercise and following Mediterranean-style ( 20 ) that is high in fiber and eliminates highly processed foods.