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A new study from Toho University in Japan reveals an unexpected link between visceral belly fat and cognitive health, showing that certain chemical signals from fat tissue may protect the brain from age-related decline.
Rethinking the role of belly fat
Visceral fat – the deep fat that surrounds internal organs – produces an important protein called CX3CL1. This protein affects levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF acts as a kind of fertilizer for the brain, helping neurons grow, survive, and form new connections.
A study published in the journal GeroScience found that as mice age, levels of both CX3CL1 in visceral fat and BDNF in the brain significantly decline. A reduction in these key proteins may contribute to age-related cognitive decline.
When the scientists artificially reduced CX3CL1 levels in young mice, BDNF levels also dropped, mimicking the effects of aging. However, when older mice were given additional doses of CX3CL1, BDNF levels in their brains rebounded.
Age-related changes and stress hormones
The researchers looked at mice at different ages—5, 10, and 18 months old. This roughly corresponds to young, middle, and old age in humans. By 18 months, BDNF levels in the mice's hippocampus had dropped by about a third.
This confirms the connection between these two proteins.
Researchers have found that stress hormones, such as cortisol, play a key role in this process. They activate an enzyme in abdominal fat called 11beta-HSD1, which stimulates the production of CX3CL1. As we age, the amount of this enzyme decreases.
Balancing for brain health
While research shows the beneficial function of visceral fat, it doesn't mean that excess of it is desirable. Too much belly fat is linked to numerous health problems.
Balancing is key. Not enough belly fat can deprive the brain of its protective effects, while too much can cause serious health problems, including metabolic syndrome.
The best strategies for maintaining brain health as we age remain the same: staying active, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and keeping your mind active.
This study highlights the interconnectedness of our body's systems. The brain does not work in isolation, but relies on signals from throughout the body. The link between belly fat and brain health opens up new possibilities for understanding cognitive aging and its prevention.
How Visceral Fat Supports Cognitive Function with Age appeared first on Curiosity.
