Should visceral fat be reduced to increase longevity?

Abstract

Several epidemiologic studies have implicated visceral fat as a major risk factor for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome and death. Utilizing novel models of visceral obesity, numerous studies have demonstrated that the relationship between visceral fat and longevity is causal while the accrual of subcutaneous fat does not appear to play an important role in the etiology of disease risk. Specific recommended intake levels vary based on a number of factors, including current weight, activity levels, and weight loss goals. It is discussed the need of reducing the visceral fat as a potential treatment strategy to prevent or delay age-related diseases and to increase longevity.

Keywords: 11β HSD-1; 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1; BMI; C-reactive protein; CR; CRP; CVD; GH; IL-6; Longevity; MCP-1; MetS; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; T2DM; TNF-α; Visceral fat; body mass index; calorie restriction; cardiovascular disease; growth hormone; interleukin-6; metabolic syndrome; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; tumor necrosis factor-α; type 2 diabetes.