Visceral Adiposity Correlation describes the strong, clinically significant statistical relationship between the accumulation of fat tissue around the internal organs (visceral fat) and various adverse health outcomes, particularly metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk. This correlation highlights visceral fat as a distinct, highly metabolically active endocrine organ that contributes significantly to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, making it a critical metric in longevity medicine.
Origin
The term stems from epidemiological and metabolic research that differentiated subcutaneous fat from visceral fat, establishing the latter as a unique risk factor independent of total body weight. The correlation is now a key diagnostic consideration, often assessed via imaging techniques like Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) or CT scans. This understanding shifted the focus from simple body mass index (BMI) to fat distribution.
Mechanism
The correlation is mechanistically driven by the unique secretory profile of visceral adipocytes. These cells release high levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), directly into the portal circulation, which drains to the liver. This inflammatory cascade promotes hepatic insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, creating a direct pathway linking central fat accumulation to systemic metabolic dysfunction and hormonal imbalance.
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