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It’s time to praise the pudge.
A new study has found that visceral fat — the deep fat that wraps around internal organs — plays a critical role in maintaining brain health.
The study, published in the journal GeroScience, included the caveat that while having some belly fat can benefit the brain, too much can be dangerous to one’s health for other reasons – and even increase your risk of death.
A team of researchers from Toho University in Japan focused on the relationship between visceral fat and BDNF, a protein vital for memory, learning and mood regulation.
BDNF encourages the growth, survival and connection of brain cells.
Low levels of BDNF have been linked to conditions such as depression and dementia. High BDNF levels, meanwhile, are directly related to higher brain function. As we age, BDNF levels decline, leading the memory loss and compromised cognitive functioning.
Researchers found that CX3CL1, a protein produced by visceral fat, actively contributes to maintaining healthy BDNF levels.
The study tracked male mice of varying ages, roughly equivalent to young adults, middle-aged and elderly humans.
In the youngest mice, their belly fat produced large quantities of the visceral fat protein, keeping their cognition high. Quality production continued in the middle-aged group but dropped by roughly one-third in the elderly population.
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This decline mirrored the steep cognitive changes humans experience later in life.
To test the fat protein-BDNF relationship, scientists artificially lowered the protein in young mice and found the decrease mimicked the effects of aging. Meanwhile, when they gave the older mice an extra protein dose, their BDNF levels were restored.
Belly fat seems to benefit brains, however, the key is not to have too much, as it can contribute to other problems such as heart issues.
Earlier research established that carrying added fat around the midsection increases risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea.
Additional research has linked excess abdominal fat to an increased risk of cancers of the womb, gallbladder, kidney, liver and breast.
A review in 2020 of 72 studies found that people with an apple-shaped body – meaning a wider midsection and less-defined waist – have a much higher risk of death from all causes than those with pear-shaped bodies.
The latest research suggests that healthy visceral fat levels are critical to the production of enzymes, proteins and molecules that support brain health.