Subtitle: Early signs of inflammation and neuronal damage in young adults point to a hidden cognitive risk — and reveal the crucial role of choline in brain health.
Every day, new evidence reminds us that the health of our bodies and our brains are deeply intertwined. We know that carrying extra weight increases risk for chronic physical ailments, but emerging research shows these stressors may begin injuring our brains far earlier than anyone expected — and may be exacerbated by a surprisingly common nutrient deficiency.
Early Biological Changes Linking Obesity and Brain Health
Researchers from Arizona State University, collaborating with several partner institutions, have observed an unsettling reality: young adults with obesity already show biological markers of inflammation, liver stress, and indicators of neuron damage — patterns more typically found in older people showing cognitive decline or even early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings suggest that, for many, the seeds of long-term brain dysfunction could be planted decades before any outward symptoms emerge.
Blood Biomarkers Illuminate the Risk
The researchers measured inflammation-promoting proteins, liver enzymes, and — crucially — neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in their participants’ blood. NfL is a protein released when neurons (brain cells) are damaged, and elevated NfL is strongly linked with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s. That these changes are detectable in otherwise healthy young adults with obesity provides a stark warning: cognitive risks associated with metabolic disorders may begin well before we can see or feel them.
The Overlooked Importance of Choline
Yet another striking discovery from this study was that many participants had unusually low levels of choline — a nutrient essential for brain and liver health. Choline plays a pivotal role in:
- Building cell membranes
- Controlling inflammation
- Supporting the liver’s function
- Producing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter vital for memory and learning
The body produces some choline, but most of our supply needs to come from our diets. Foods rich in choline include eggs, poultry, fish, beans, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. However, national nutritional surveys reveal that many Americans, especially teenagers and young adults, miss the mark on recommended daily intake.
Low Choline Levels Associated With Greater Risks
The Arizona State study found that young adults with obesity not only had lower choline levels but that those with the lowest choline also showed the highest inflammation, greatest insulin resistance, more liver strain, and a worrying spike in NfL. Interestingly, women in the study had lower choline levels than men; this is particularly concerning given the higher rates of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease seen in women later in life.
Dr. Ramon Velazquez, who led the study, notes, “Choline is a valuable marker of metabolic and brain dysfunction — and reinforces the importance of sufficient daily intake.” Several related studies recently released further tie low choline to mood shifts like anxiety, memory impairment, and wider metabolic troubles.
How Modern Diets and Drugs May Compound the Problem
“Most people don’t realize they aren’t getting enough choline,” says Wendy Winslow, a co-author of the study. She emphasizes that adding choline-rich foods to regular meals could offer a degree of neuroprotection and help control inflammation as people age.
The researchers also point out an emerging issue: the explosion of highly effective weight-loss drugs, such as those based on GLP-1, which suppress appetite and reduce overall food intake. While these medications are tremendously beneficial for weight loss and metabolic health, they may also inadvertently reduce choline and other nutrient intake unless care is taken to compensate through diet or supplementation.
A Link Between Early Biological Stress and Lifelong Brain Health
The study’s design was straightforward but revealing. Thirty adults in their 20s and 30s were recruited, half with obesity and half with healthy body weight. By comparing their blood samples for choline, inflammatory markers, and NfL, the researchers uncovered a repeating pattern: lower choline equated to higher inflammation and evidence of early neuron damage. When these biomarkers were compared to those from older adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s, a striking similarity appeared — hinting that metabolic stress may set the stage for cognitive decline far earlier than previously believed.
These findings are consistent with earlier animal studies as well. In mice, choline deficiencies have been shown to accelerate obesity, worsen metabolic health, and promote changes in the brain that increase vulnerability to Alzheimer’s pathology.
Laying the Groundwork for Brain Health
While the study does not prove that low choline and obesity directly cause cognitive decline, it highlights a set of measurable, interconnected risks that may be acting silently for years. According to co-author Jessica Judd, “Good metabolic health and adequate choline in young adults contribute to neuronal health, laying the groundwork for healthy aging.”
This area of research could ultimately guide new strategies for protecting brain health long before the first memory slips appear. In the meantime, both young people and adults may wish to pay more attention to their metabolic health and choline intake — simple lifestyle steps that may make a profound difference in resilience against future neurological diseases.
Reference:
Velazquez, R., Winslow, W., Judd, J., et al. (2024). Choline deficiency and early–life obesity: Links to brain inflammation and neuronal stress. Aging and Disease. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251127010319.htm
