Visceral fat may slow heart aging in women, research flags

Although excessive amounts of visceral fat are linked to faster aging in the heart and blood vessels, researchers point to critical differences between men and women. A new study suggests that hidden fat surrounding organs may potentially slow aging in women’s hearts, when formed around the hips and thighs. 

Visceral fat surrounds organs such as the stomach, intestines, and liver, and is generally known to be harmful to health.

The analysis looked at data from 21,241 participants in UK Biobank, which employed whole body imaging to map the amount of fat and where it is located in the body.

“We have known about the apple and pear distinction in body fat, but it hasn’t been clear how it leads to poor health outcomes. Our research shows that “bad” fat, hidden deep around the organs, accelerates aging of the heart,” says professor Declan O’Regan, who led the research at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences and Imperial College London, UK.

“But some types of fat could protect against aging — specifically fat around the hips and thighs in women,” he adds.

“We also showed that body mass index wasn’t a good way of predicting heart age which underscores the importance of knowing where fat is stored in the body and not just total body weight.”

Assigning the heart an “age”

The analyzed UK Biobank data offers detailed imaging of the heart and blood vessels. The researchers used AI to study these images and capture signs of organ aging, such as tissues becoming stiff and inflamed.

Based on this scan, an individual was assigned an appropriate “heart age” that can be compared to their actual age at the time of the scan.

The study found that individuals with more visceral adipose tissue were more inclined toward faster heart aging. It pinpointed signs on blood tests showing that visceral fat is linked to increased inflammation in the body, which the researchers say is a potential cause of premature aging.

Comparing apples to pears

Looking at specific differences between the sexes, the researchers found “male-type fat” distribution (fat around the belly, often referred to as “apple” shaped) was particularly predictive of early aging in men.

Meanwhile, they say a genetic predisposition to “female-type fat” among women (fat on the hips and thighs, often called “pear” shaped) offered protection against heart aging.

The researchers found “male-type fat” distribution (around the belly) was particularly predictive of early aging in men.The researchers also link higher estrogen levels in premenopausal women to slower heart aging, which they say might indicate the role hormones play in protecting against heart aging.

“The goal of our research is to find ways to increase healthy lifespan. While being active is important, we found that hidden fat could still be harmful even in fit people,” details O’Regan.

Supporting future research into drug therapies

Future research plans include investigating how drug therapies — such as GLP-1 inhibitors like Ozempic — can target the aging effects of hidden visceral fat, instead of just focusing on diabetes and obesity.

“We already know excess visceral fat around the heart and liver can lead to increased blood pressure and high cholesterol, so it is concerning that it could also help to speed up aging of the heart and blood vessels,” notes professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation.

”As the pattern of fat distribution typically seen in women’s bodies is linked to estrogen, that hormone may be key to future therapies developed to tackle heart aging. Eating a healthier diet and becoming more active can help to reduce visceral fat levels,” he concludes.

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. It is published in the European Heart Journal.

Earlier this month, Nutrition Insight caught up with Myeong Hee Kim, CEO at AceBiome, who spoke with us about the company’s clinically proven core probiotic (Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17), which targets visceral fat. It is the first probiotic approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for body fat reduction.