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 4,000middle-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 a Mediterranean-style _20_ that is high in fiber and eliminates highly processed foods.