Tag Archives: Fat

How Body Fat Benefits Health in Unexpectedly Complex Ways

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Understanding Body Fat: The Good, The Bad, and The Complex

Dr. Ray Clark & Mervyn Goff/Science Photo Library

Body fat is often misunderstood as merely a passive energy reserve. However, emerging research indicates it plays a crucial role in our overall health, providing insights into its intricate functions.

Fat comes in various forms, including white fat, which stores energy and releases hormones influencing metabolism; brown fat, known for generating heat; and beige fat, which activates thermogenesis under specific conditions. The location of these fats matters significantly. While subcutaneous fat is usually harmless, visceral fat, located deep in the abdomen, is closely linked to inflammation, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Recent studies further clarify this dynamic, suggesting that adipose tissue is actively involved in regulating blood pressure and managing immune responses in crucial areas of the body.

A study led by Jutta Jarkanen at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm examined the cellular structure of visceral fat in various abdominal locations. Their findings highlighted that epiploic fat, which envelops the large intestine, is abundant in immune cells and specialized fat cells producing inflammatory proteins tied to immune activation. They discovered that microbial products from the intestines trigger these fat cells to activate nearby immune responses.

“Our research indicates that fat deposits are specialized based on their anatomical position, particularly the fat adjacent to the intestine, which is tailored for immune interactions,” Jarkanen noted.

Although the study included obese participants, everyone has some visceral fat around their intestines, suggesting that epiploic fat fulfills a fundamental role irrespective of body weight.

“The gut continually encounters nutrients, microbial elements, and environmental substances,” Jarkanen explained. “Having adjacent adipose tissue to sense, respond, and manage immune reactions adds an extra layer of defense.”

However, obesity can lead to chronic overactivity in this system. Overeating, excessive consumption of particular foods, and specific bacterial compositions in the gut microbiome can lead to persistent immune signaling in intestinal fats, contributing to low-grade inflammation linked with metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and obesity.

A follow-up study unveiled yet another surprising function of fat: its role in regulating blood pressure. Marcia Koenen and colleagues at Rockefeller University aimed to understand the connection between obesity, characterized by excessive white fat, and high blood pressure, while noting that brown and beige fats seem to offer protection.

The team investigated perivascular adipose tissue, a beige fat-rich layer encasing blood vessels. In genetically modified mice that lack beige fat, their blood vessels exhibited stiffness and overreacted to daily hormonal signals that constrict arteries, resulting in elevated blood pressure.

The researchers identified that the enzyme QSOX1, secreted by dysfunctional fat cells, caused this adverse effect. Blocking this enzyme prevented vascular damage and normalized blood pressure in the mice, independent of their body weight. “This emphasizes the importance of inter-organ communication in understanding complex diseases such as hypertension,” emphasized Koenen.

“This study sheds light on the often-underestimated roles of brown and beige fat,” noted Christy Townsend from Ohio State University. Though human perivascular adipose tissue is proportionately less substantial than in mice, it remains physiologically relevant. “This research highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of fat’s effect on health beyond overall fat mass and BMI.”

Instead of merely focusing on fat reduction, these findings point towards future therapies aimed at preserving or restoring the advantageous functions of fat by targeting specific fat deposits, enhancing immune-fat communication, and maintaining healthy beige fat activity. However, comprehensive research is necessary before these findings can be applied clinically.

Together, these studies position adipose tissue as an active, functionally diverse system implicated in numerous aspects of human physiology. “When I began working in this field in the late 1990s, the belief was that fat was just a sack of cells storing extra nutrients,” stated Paul Cohen, also from Rockefeller University, who participated in the second study. “These investigations reveal a shift in our understanding of fat as not just a single cell type, but a complex tissue composed of various cell types engaged in diverse processes, extending far beyond simple nutrient storage and mobilization.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Transforming Your Health: Rethinking Fat for Better Wellness

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Credit: Kirsty Pargeter/Alamy

Jelly-like midsections, thunderous thighs, and muffin tops — derogatory terms abound for the parts of ourselves we feel insecure about. Many cultures view fat as, at best, mere insulation or an obstacle to be eliminated. However, it’s time to shift this perspective.

While excessive body fat is linked to various health issues such as cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, it’s noteworthy that not all individuals with obesity experience these adverse effects. This indicates a more complex scenario at play. Our comprehensive cover story reveals that fat is far from being a passive entity. Instead, it functions as a vital, dynamic organ that collaborates with the brain and bones to support overall health.

This essential reevaluation of fat allows us to perceive obesity as a form of organ dysfunction rather than a moral failing. Such a change in perspective can shift the dialogue from stigmatization and fat-shaming to developing effective treatments for obesity. Current research is exploring innovative methods to “reprogram” dysfunctional fat cells to enhance health and even transform “unhealthy” obesity into less harmful variations.

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Fat is a crucial and vibrant part of the body, functioning as an organ that helps maintain our well-being.
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Encouragingly, this transformative approach does not necessitate drastic weight loss. Many advantages of contemporary weight loss medications seem to arise from enhancing the function and distribution of fat rather than merely promoting weight reduction.

Realizing this transformation could revolutionize not only health outcomes but also perceptions of what constitutes a healthy body shape. Yet, the phenomenal success of GLP-1 medications poses a risk of undermining the fat-positive movement and re-igniting outdated moral assessments regarding body size and self-discipline.

However, if fat can indeed be reprogrammed, more individuals may lead longer, healthier lives without the burden of self-consciousness about their size. Understanding the biology of fat and its interactions with the body is the first step towards this goal.

Source: www.newscientist.com

How Fat Storage Locations Impact Brain Function

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Our brain activity and health is influenced by various bodily events

Cavallini James/BSIP/Getty Images

The impact of body fat on our movements, emotions, and even the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease varies based on its location within the body.

While many studies emphasize abdominal fat due to its correlation with cognitive decline and heart disease, few have explored fat distribution in other regions, usually with limited participant numbers.

To broaden understanding, Qiu from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her team investigated the effects of fat in the arms, legs, torso, and around internal organs on brain health.

The research team analyzed body composition scans and Brain Imaging data of over 18,000 adults with an average age of 62 involved in the UK Biobank Project. After taking age and other factors into account, they associated excess fat in different body regions with specific brain changes.

For instance, higher fat levels in the arms and torso correlated with thinning in the sensorimotor cortex, which is involved in movement. Increased arm fat was also linked to reduced hippocampal volume, a crucial area for memory that is traditionally affected in Alzheimer’s disease, potentially explaining why arm fat is associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders.

The researchers found that excess leg fat correlated with diminished connectivity in the brain’s limbic network, which is responsible for emotion and reward processing. This may be due to the fact that fat in the lower body releases leptin, a hormone that regulates hunger, with higher leptin levels connected to reduced limbic connectivity.

Conversely, visceral fat (around internal organs) was the type most strongly linked to functional changes in the brain, uniquely associated with white matter degradation—a characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease—rather than its preservation.

This may arise from the fact that visceral fat produces more inflammatory substances compared to fat located elsewhere in the body, according to Sonia Anand from McMaster University in Canada, which can contribute to brain inflammation.

It remains unclear why arm fat appeared to have both protective and detrimental effects on the brain. “Observing such divergent impacts was intriguing,” noted Mikal Schneider Biary from Rutgers University, New Jersey. This complexity underscores the intricate relationship between body fat and brain health, she added.

The research only established correlations between body fat and brain function, so “we can’t infer any causal connections,” Biary cautions. Some brain changes may indeed influence the distribution of body fat. Moreover, the findings might not apply to the broader population, as there was a notable lack of diversity among participants.

Nevertheless, the study emphasizes that different types and locations of fat exert varying effects, according to Anand. This suggests that treatments focusing on reducing visceral fat could have a more significant impact on brain health than generalized weight loss approaches.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unseen Belly Fat Might Be Accelerating Your Aging Mind — Even If You’re at a Healthy Weight

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Recent studies indicate that visceral fat (the concealed belly fat located deep within the abdomen) may contribute to the accelerated aging of your heart.

In contrast to subcutaneous fat, which resides just beneath the skin, visceral fat envelops vital organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines. Individuals with elevated visceral fat levels might present as slimmer or even possess a healthy body mass index (BMI) and weight.

“Staying active is crucial, but our findings reveal that this hidden fat can pose risks even for those who seem healthy,” states Professor Declan Olegan, who led the research.

Two MRI scans, showcasing more visceral fat (red) and subcutaneous fat (blue) in the left subject – Photo credit: AMRA Medical

This research has been published in European Heart Journal. Scientists at the Medical Research Council of London (MRC) Institute of Medical Sciences examined data from 21,241 participants in the UK Biobank.

Whole-body imaging was utilized to analyze fat distribution, along with an in-depth investigation of the heart and blood vessels. Artificial intelligence was implemented to estimate a “heart age” for each participant, reflecting signs of organ aging, such as hardened or inflamed tissue.

The study identified notable differences between genders. Men are prone to accumulating visceral fat in the abdomen, often resulting in expedited heart aging.

Conversely, women have a genetic tendency to store fat around the waist and thighs, resulting in a “pear shape,” which may decelerate heart aging. Elevated estrogen levels in premenopausal women are linked to reduced heart aging, indicating that hormones might play a significant role in organ protection.

Blood analyses revealed a correlation between visceral fat and increased inflammation, suggesting another factor that could contribute to premature aging.

Utilizing whole-body MRI scans to analyze fat distribution and examine the heart in detail (credit: MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences)

Professor Brian Williams, Chief Science Officer and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, stated: “We are already aware that excess visceral fat around the heart and liver can result in increased blood pressure and high cholesterol, which may further accelerate heart and blood vessel aging.”

“The typical pattern of fat distribution observed in women is influenced by estrogen, suggesting that hormones could be pivotal in developing future treatments for cardiac aging.

“Adopting healthier eating habits and increasing physical activity can aid in lowering visceral fat levels.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Exploring ‘Silly, Fat, and Ugly’: A Personal Journey Through High School in Gaming

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I visited the V&A Exhibition on design/play/confusion. Back in 2018, you may have experienced an intriguing set of mini-games. In this space, one could navigate a Tetris-like board to balance calories perfectly, while also battling quirky physics to nourish a character named Jenny, twisting her into a Pilates position.

Nearly seven years later, the complete version of Consume Me, which recently snagged the Grand Prize at the Independent Game Festival, is set to release this September. Developer Jenny Jiao Hsia explains that the game evolved into a semi-autobiographical narrative reflecting her high school feelings of being “silly, fat, and ugly.” What initially started as a series of mini-games focusing on Hsia’s struggles with restrictive dieting has transformed into an exploration of various aspects of her teenage life.




Many aspects of life as a teenager… consumer me. Photo: 66

Hsia and co-designer Alec “AP” Thomson have been collaborating on games since their time at NYU Game Center. The idea for Consume Me emerged when Hsia shared her old diaries with Thomson, which contained her calorie charts and dieting notes. “I thought, ‘Hey, doesn’t this look like a game?'” she recalls. Thomson concurred, stating, “We started with a small prototype, and once we secured funding, the game really took off.”

The duo continued to refine their ideas, aiming to create a substantial game. “The last major project we worked on was essentially a student project,” Thomson mentions. This game was a match-3 puzzle released in 2016, and compared to that, “the entire process of Consume Me is completely different.” Hsia humorously reflects on the experience, saying, “I sat next to AP every day and was eager to guide him. With Consume Me, I had to take on more responsibility. I don’t consider myself very experienced, so it took me quite some time.”

Hsia clarifies that Consume Me was not meant as a means to address her challenges with dieting, as she left behind a phase of her life before the game’s development. Instead, she finds that crafting the narrative from her own experiences yields a richer story. “If you’re creating something from scratch without solid experiences to draw from—unless you have a strong imagination—I think it’s uninteresting,” she notes. “The character Jenny in the game isn’t solely based on me. She’s a blend of AP and me, depicting the enthusiasm for achieving goals beyond her to-do list.”

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Hsia expresses her surprise that many players find Consume Me relatable and approachable. Individuals who struggle with focus might see themselves in the reading mini-games, where Jenny’s attention keeps spinning in circles with her books. Moreover, she often finds herself short on time. Additionally, Jenny’s financial woes are highlighted in a mini-game where she discovers a lucky $20 bill on the street while walking her dog, humorously dealing with its “tremendous” bowel movements. Jenny’s habit of discovering money on the streets of New York is a reflection of Hsia’s own life experiences.

“I’m curious about what people actually take away from the game,” she admits. “It’s fascinating to showcase a part of your life and let a stranger interpret it, then watch their reactions.”

Consume Me will be available for PC on September 25th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Body Fat Levels May Indicate Mortality Risk in Young Adults – Sciworthy

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Researchers have established a connection between being overweight or obese and various illnesses and health issues. Heart disease, some types of cancer, and additional conditions such as mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Beyond specific diseases, obesity is also associated with an increased risk of premature death.

Health organizations in the US and around the world utilize the Body Mass Index, or BMI, to assess whether individuals are overweight or obese. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization both classify overweight as having a BMI over 25 and obesity as a BMI exceeding 30. In simple terms, a person who is 1.8 meters tall (approximately 5’11”) and weighs 90.7 kilograms (about 200 lbs) has a BMI of 28.

While doctors recognize that BMI can serve as a valuable metric in healthcare, some point out its limitations. Athletes with considerable muscle mass may be classified as overweight due to their muscle’s greater weight compared to fat. Additionally, body fat percentages can vary based on ethnicity and gender, suggesting that the standard BMI approach may not accurately reflect every individual’s health.

Recently, researchers from the University of Florida explored whether alternative body composition measurements provide a better prediction of mortality risk in young adults compared to BMI. They analyzed data from the National Health Nutrition Test Survey (NHANES), which was conducted in the US between 1999 and 2004 and connects to an index that indicates if participants had passed away by 2020. The study included data from 4,252 adults aged 20 to 49.

The researchers assessed whether high BMI, elevated body fat percentage, or increased waist circumference were more effective predictors of mortality within 15 years. They defined higher-risk body composition as (1) a BMI over 25, categorizing this as overweight or obese. Causes of mortality they investigated included deaths from any cause, referred to as all causes, heart disease, and cancer.

Findings revealed that body fat percentage is a stronger predictor of mortality in young adults than BMI. Specifically, there was no statistically significant link between overweight or obese BMI and cancer-related or all-cause mortality. In contrast, both high body fat percentage and large waist circumference were significantly related to deaths from all causes and heart disease. However, none of the three body composition measurements were found to be statistically related to cancer mortality.

Researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their study. First, the body fat percentage thresholds they applied were derived from another research and are not universally accepted metrics like BMI. Second, as they focused solely on mortality risk in young adults, BMI could still be a strong mortality predictor in older adults. Lastly, while they observed mortality rates, various diseases and health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, are still linked to higher BMI.

Nevertheless, the research team concluded that BMI may not provide a comprehensive view of body composition, suggesting that other measures, such as body fat percentage, could be more beneficial in healthcare settings. They proposed that future studies should investigate these findings in older populations and explore additional health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Wax moth caterpillars can metabolically digest plastic and convert it into body fat.

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Plastic polymers are everywhere in our daily lives, and their durability makes them suitable for numerous uses, yet effective disposal remains a significant issue. Recent discoveries of various plastiboa insects reveal their extraordinary capability to consume and swiftly decompose petroplastics. Specifically focusing on caterpillars of the Great Wax Moth (Galleria Mellonella)—commonly known as wax worms—and low-density polyethylene, researchers have explored the extent of plastic consumption, the roles of insects and their microbiota in biodegradation, and the impact of plastic ingestion on larvae health.

Polyethylene decomposition using wax worms. Left: Plastic bag after 12 hours of exposure to approximately 100 wax worms. Right: Enlarge the area shown in the image on the left. Image credit: Bomb et al doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.060.

Plastic is essential in contemporary life, but its disposal is extremely challenging due to its resistance to biodegradation.

In 2017, researchers illustrated that larger wax moth caterpillars can effectively break down polyethylene plastics.

Polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic globally, with an annual production exceeding 100 million tons.

This plastic’s chemical properties make it resistant to decomposition, often taking decades or even centuries to fully break down.

“Around 2,000 wax worms can degrade an entire polyethylene bag within just 24 hours, and we believe that supplementing this process with nutrients like sugar could significantly decrease the required number of worms,” said Dr. Brian Catthorne, a biologist at Brandon University.

“However, understanding the biological mechanisms and fitness implications linked to plastic biodegradation is crucial for harnessing wax worms for large-scale plastic remediation.”

Utilizing diverse methods combining animal physiology, materials science, molecular biology, and genomics, Dr. Catthorne and colleagues examined wax worms, their bacterial microbiome, and the potential for extensive plastic biodegradation, including the effects of wax worms on their health and survival.

“This scenario is akin to consuming steaks. When over-saturated, excess fat is stored in adipose tissue as lipid reserves instead of being used as energy,” Dr. Catthorne explained.

“Waxworms have a proclivity for polyethylene, yet this study indicates that such a diet can lead to rapid mortality.”

“They cannot survive for more than a few days on plastic-exclusive diets and undergo substantial mass loss.”

“Nonetheless, we are optimistic about devising a co-supply strategy that not only restores fitness to a natural level.”

Researchers have pinpointed two ways in which wax worms could aid in tackling the ongoing plastic pollution dilemma.

“Firstly, as part of a circular economy, we can efficiently process large quantities of rear wax worms derived from the supplemented polyethylene diet,” Dr. Catthorne noted.

“Secondly, we could explore redesigning the plastic biodegradation pathways outside of these insects.”

“A further advantage is that mass-producing wax worms yields a significant surplus of insect biomass, offering additional economic prospects for aquaculture.”

“Our preliminary findings suggest they could be incorporated into a nutrient-rich diet for commercially available food fish.”

The author presented these survey results today at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium.

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Brian J. Catthorne et al. Plastic biodegradation by insects. SEB 2025 Summary #A17.4

Source: www.sci.news

Neanderthals Operated a “Fat Factory” for Bone and Grease Processing.

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Neanderthal cooking abilities were more advanced than previously believed.

Gregoire Cirade/Science Photo Library

Almost 100,000 years ago, Neanderthals processed animal bones to extract fat, a practice that was also seen in modern humans around 125,000 years ago.

This discovery stems from a remarkable lakeside site in Neumark Nod, eastern East Germany, where over 100,000 bone fragments from at least 172 individual animals were uncovered, including horses, dogs, deer, foxes, large cats, and extinct twin rhinoceroses.

The bones exhibited clear signs of having been crushed into small pieces and heated to release the fat contained within the spongy tissues. This fat could have served as a rich source of high-calorie nutrition for hunter-gatherer groups.

Will Roebroeks and his team at Leiden University in the Netherlands described the site as a “fat factory” suggesting it was intensively used for a short period. “The fragmentation of the bones is distinctly artificial and not a result of natural predation or geological forces,” he states.

While there is no direct evidence of butchery by Neanderthals, they were the primary known human species in Europe at that time, Roebroeks points out.

Previously, the earliest evidence for grease rendering was located in Portugal, dating back only 28,000 years.

The labor-intensive process of breaking down large mammal bones into such tiny fragments only makes sense if it serves a purpose, Roebroeks notes.

The team lacks direct evidence of boiling; however, it is evident that the bones were heated. “Given the clearly heated bones, heated flint tools, and the presence of stones, it indicates that fire was utilized at the site,” he explains.

Since the earliest known pottery dates back around 20,000 years, the Neanderthals likely used other types of containers to boil the bones. Recent experiments indicate that containers made from materials like deer hides and birch bark can be placed directly over the fire, allowing sufficient water to heat up for cooking, according to Roebroeks.

“This adds yet another layer to the complex cultural practices of our distant relatives, suggesting that these hunter-gatherers may have engaged in forms of food preservation,” he concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Incredible Ways Body Fat Affects Your Intermittent Fasting Experience

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Intermittent fasting has emerged as a popular approach to enhance health and boost metabolism. However, recent research indicates that its advantages may be diminished by body fat due to inconspicuous disruptions in the liver’s hunger adaptation.

In a study, researchers assessed liver modifications in both healthy and obese mice that lacked leptin, the hormone responsible for regulating appetite, during food deprivation periods. Intermittent fasting entails extended calorie restriction followed by a regular eating window.

Both mouse groups exhibited similar metabolic networks, comprising liver molecules that collaboratively manage energy; however, significant differences in timing were observed.

“In a healthy liver, energy-centric molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) quickly respond to starvation and modulate various metabolic reactions,” stated Professor Shinya Kuroda in BBC Science Focus.

“This mechanism appears to be deficient and confused in obese individuals.”

To put it differently, in healthy mice, energy-related molecules like ATP and AMP operate as primary hubs, swiftly adapting metabolic responses to conserve and redistribute energy. Conversely, in obese mice, these molecules did not exhibit a quick response, resulting in a sluggish and disoriented reaction to starvation.

A rapid response from ATP and AMP during periods of food scarcity enables the liver to utilize energy from stored reserves. This process is believed to facilitate several benefits of intermittent fasting, such as weight reduction and better glycemic control.

Through a combination of structural and temporal metabolic analyses, the research team elucidates how obesity induces metabolic “jet lag,” complicating not just the timing but also the manner in which crucial molecular events transpire.

“Our findings could have significant implications for enhancing the effectiveness of intermittent fasting in humans,” Kuroda remarked.

“Next, we aim to identify easily detectable blood-based biomarkers in humans,” Kuroda added. “Ultimately, clinical research is necessary to assess our findings. The journey is lengthy, but every thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.”

This research was published in Science Signaling.

About Our Experts

Shinya Kuroda is a professor at the Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo, Japan, focusing on Systems Biology. His research includes publications in Cell, Journal of Biochemistry, and Natural Cell Biology.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The major influences on where your body stores fat

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Gender plays a significant role in determining where fat is stored in the body. Men tend to store fat around their abdomen, while women tend to store fat in their thighs, buttocks, and hips.

“From a childbirth and childcare perspective, pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding consume energy, so storing energy in these areas is very helpful,” explains Dr. Adam Collins, Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey. Hormonal differences also play a role in fat storage.

Estrogen, a female hormone, is believed to play a key role in determining body fat distribution, particularly in women.

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Premenopausal women with higher estrogen levels are less likely to store fat in the abdomen and near vital organs. This may offer some protection from conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. However, men are more susceptible to developing these conditions earlier in life.

After menopause, women experience a decline in estrogen levels, leading to a shift towards the typical male fat distribution pattern.

Genetics also play a role in determining fat distribution, particularly in women. Studies have shown that genetic influences on fat distribution are stronger in women compared to men.

Stress and cortisol levels may also impact fat storage, with some studies suggesting a link between elevated cortisol levels and abdominal fat. However, the exact mechanisms involved are not fully understood.

Recent research indicates that poor quality sleep may affect body fat composition, with lower quality sleep potentially leading to increased abdominal fat accumulation. However, more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

The type of fat present in the body also plays a crucial role in determining overall health. Subcutaneous fat lies just under the skin and provides a store of energy, while visceral fat accumulates deep in the abdomen and around vital organs, posing health risks.

Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, can influence body fat levels and distribution. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, can help in controlling overall fat levels and reducing the risk of metabolic problems.

What types of fat are present in my body?

Lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet can influence body fat levels. – Photo credit: Getty Images

There are two main types of body fat: subcutaneous fat, which lies just under the skin, and visceral fat, which accumulates deep in the abdomen and around organs. Excess body fat is more likely to be stored as visceral fat.

Reducing overall fat levels through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can help in controlling deep visceral fat levels and reducing the risk of metabolic problems.

About our experts

Dr. Adam Collins is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey with over 20 years of experience as a qualified dietitian. His work has been published in various journals.

fredric calpe is a Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Oxford, with publications in reputable journals.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Reducing arm fat decreases dementia risk by 18%

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It is widely known that excess body fat can lead to health issues like heart disease and diabetes. However, recent research has found a correlation between fat distribution in the arms and abdomen and the risk of developing dementia.

Dementia, a group of neurodegenerative disorders that includes Alzheimer’s disease, is on the rise globally. By 2050, it is projected that 139 million people worldwide will be affected. In the UK, it is estimated that one in three people born currently may develop dementia.

The causes of dementia are complex and not fully understood. However, a study published in the Journal of Neurology suggests that having high levels of body fat in the arms and abdomen can significantly increase the likelihood of developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

The study involved over 400,000 participants, of whom a subset developed neurodegenerative diseases. After considering other factors like high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes, the researchers found that individuals with higher levels of abdominal and arm fat had an increased risk of developing these conditions.

The researchers also found that greater muscle strength was associated with a lower risk of disease. They suggest that targeted interventions to reduce abdominal and arm fat may be more effective in preventing neurodegeneration than general weight management.

Further research is needed to fully understand how body composition affects overall health outcomes. The team plans to investigate the impact of body composition on other health issues like heart failure in the future.

About our experts

Xu Shishi Dr. Xu is a clinical physician specializing in endocrinology and metabolism at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China. With a background in epidemiology and evidence-based research, his research interests include metabolic diseases and large-scale population cohort data analysis.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists claim that fat can be burned naturally in new weight loss discovery

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Weight loss can be a challenging journey, but there may be a breakthrough discovery that could make it easier. Scientists have found a way to burn calories without changing your diet or exercising, thanks to a fat-burning mechanism in your body known as “beige fat.”

While diet and exercise are still crucial, researchers from the University of San Francisco have identified a way to convert regular white fat cells into beige fat cells.

In most mammals, including humans, there are three types of fat cells: white, brown, and beige. White fat cells store calories, brown fat cells burn energy for heat, and beige fat cells can do both.

This conversion from white to beige fat cells allows the body to naturally burn fat more efficiently.

Although the study was conducted with mice, it could pave the way for new weight-loss drugs and shed light on why previous trials have not been successful.

Scientists believed that stem cells were required to create beige fat, but the research shows that by inhibiting the production of a protein called KLF-15, white fat cells can be converted to beige fat cells. This finding offers promising insights into potential weight-loss treatments.

Feldman and his team discovered that KLF-15 controls the levels of the Adrb1 receptor, which plays a role in maintaining energy balance. Targeting this receptor with drugs could be a more effective approach for weight loss compared to current treatments.

By understanding the mechanisms behind beige fat cells, researchers hope to develop safer and more long-lasting weight-loss solutions for the future.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New findings suggest that smoking may lead to an increase in unseen belly fat

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When picturing a smoker, the image of a slender and stylish individual like Audrey Hepburn may come to mind. However, recent research indicates that even slim smokers could be harboring unhealthy fat hidden deep within their abdomens.

Despite the common belief that smoking can suppress appetite and the fear of weight gain upon quitting, a new study reveals that smokers are more likely to be underweight. Not only that but smokers also tend to accumulate more harmful deep abdominal fat, known as “visceral fat,” which is linked to increased risks of heart attack, diabetes, and dementia. This type of fat can be challenging to detect, leading to a false sense of fullness even with a flat stomach.

To investigate the relationship between lifelong smoking and belly fat, researchers at the University of Copenhagen utilized a statistical analysis tool called Mendelian randomization. This tool categorizes individuals based on their genetic information to identify causal connections between exposures like smoking and outcomes such as abdominal fat distribution.

The study involved analyzing genetic data from numerous studies on smoking habits and body fat distribution among individuals of European ancestry. By identifying specific genes associated with smoking behaviors and body fat distribution, the researchers were able to determine the impact of smoking on belly fat independent of other influencing factors like alcohol consumption and socio-economic background.

The lead author, Dr. Germán D. Carrasquilla, emphasized the importance of large-scale efforts to prevent and reduce smoking in light of their findings published in the journal Dependence. He believes that reducing smoking prevalence can indirectly decrease the prevalence of abdominal fat and ultimately improve public health outcomes.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Consequences of a Fat Cat: The Perspectives of Scientists

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by University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences December 19, 2023

A study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign revealed the effects of overfeeding on cats’ digestive systems and gut microbiota. The study involved 11 cats and showed that an unrestricted diet led to significant weight gain, changes in gastrointestinal transit time, and changes in fecal microbiota and acidity. These findings contribute to the understanding of obesity in pets and inform weight management strategies such as feeding restriction and promotion of physical activity.

Cat owners want their pets to be happy, but overfeeding can have unintended consequences. The prevalence of obesity in cats is increasing, impacting their health, lifespan, and overall well-being. A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign looks at what happens to cats’ digestive systems and gut microbiota when they overeat.

“About 60% of cats in the United States are overweight, which can lead to health problems such as diabetes and chronic inflammation. A lot of research has been done on weight loss in cats; “There has been little focus on the reverse process. In this study, we wanted to learn more about the metabolic and gastrointestinal changes that occur as a result of overeating and weight gain in cats,” said study co-author and author of Animal Science said Kelly Swanson, professor and interim director of the department. The Department of Nutritional Sciences (DNS), part of the U of I College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

Methodology and initial findings

The study included 11 spayed adult cats. They were fed standard dry cat food and allowed to eat as much as they wanted after 2 weeks of baseline measurements. Researchers regularly took blood and fecal samples and monitored physical activity.

Once the cat was able to overeat, her food intake immediately increased significantly and she began to gain weight. The mean body condition score (BCS) at the start of the study was 5.41 on a 9-point scale. After 18 weeks of overeating, the weight increases to 8.27, which corresponds to 30% overweight. According to Swanson, BCS corresponds to a person’s body mass index (BMI), and anything above 6 is considered overweight.

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that when cats overeat and gain weight, it affects their digestive systems and gut microbiota.Credit: Lauren Quinn, University of Illinois

Source: scitechdaily.com