Visceral Fat Mass refers to the specific adipose tissue that is strategically stored deep within the abdominal cavity, enveloping and insulating the vital internal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Unlike subcutaneous fat, excess visceral fat is highly metabolically active and serves as a critical clinical indicator strongly correlated with systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and an elevated risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. It is a key marker of chronic hormonal and metabolic dysfunction.
Origin
The term is both anatomical and clinical, combining ‘Visceral,’ referring to the internal organs, and ‘Fat Mass,’ describing the quantity of adipose tissue. Its clinical importance grew from epidemiological studies that established a direct link between central obesity and adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes.
Mechanism
Visceral fat functions as a dysfunctional endocrine organ, releasing a detrimental array of pro-inflammatory adipokines and free fatty acids directly into the portal circulation, which leads to the liver. This cascade significantly disrupts hepatic insulin signaling and contributes to systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, chronic activation of the HPA axis, often seen in chronic stress, preferentially drives the accumulation of this specific, high-risk type of adipose tissue.
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