Visceral Fat

A study led by scientists from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and Imperial College London, published in the European Heart Journal, analysed the data of 21,241 participants from the UK Biobank, including whole body imaging mapping the amount of fat in the body and the location. Using Artificial Intelligence to analyse images showing signs of organ aging including tissue becoming stiff and inflamed, individuals were given a heart age compared to their actual age at the time of the scan.

The study found that faster heart aging was linked to having more visceral adipose tissue. Visceral adipose tissue is fat found deep inside the abdomen around organs, fat that cannot be seen from the outside. Blood tests showed that visceral fat was linked to increased inflammation in the body, a potential cause of premature aging.

There were differences between the sexes with male fat distribution, fat around the belly, particularly predictive of early aging in men and in contrast, female type fat on the hips and thighs, was protective against heart aging in women. The researchers also found a link between higher oestrogen levels in premenopausal women and a slowing of heart aging which they suggest could indicate a role for hormones in protecting against heart aging.

NOTE: The study was funded by the Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre.