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 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.