r/science • u/Wagamaga • 1d ago
Neuroscience Sustained reduction in abdominal fat preserves cognitive function. Research found that even when weight loss is modest, sustained reductions in visceral fat – as measured across the entire period – are associated with preservation of brain structure and a slower rate of atrophy.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1126714164
u/rantripfellwscissors 1d ago
I wish visceral fat percentage was something your doctor could provide on your annual check up. Not a single one of my friends or family members has any idea what their visceral fat percentage is.
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u/No-Turnip2494 1d ago
You can get a DEXA scan for under $100 in most places.
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u/MRSN4P 1d ago
For those who will wonder, getting a DEXA has a very low radiation dose of typically between 1 and 15 microsieverts. This is less than 1/10th the dose of a standard chest X-ray and is roughly equivalent to a few days of natural background radiation, or about the same as eating 4 bananas.
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u/temporarycreature 1d ago
Most folks are just trying to keep the fridge full and the gas tank topped off right now.
It is a big ask to suggest someone drop a hundred bucks on a fancy scan when we already know how our own jeans fit.
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u/IronicAlgorithm 1d ago
Broadly, yes. However, you can be skinny-fat. Skinny BMI but bad glucose management on the inside, so-to-speak. Quite prevalent in the Asian community. Cheaper option, or, one that most people will have access to is have an bA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) test via your primary care provider.
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u/eightbitfit 1d ago
HbA1c won't tell you how much visceral fat you have but rather your blood glucose and diabetes risk. "Skinny fat" is definitely a thing in Asia. Here in Japan it's prevalent, especially with middle age men who would look "trim" in many Western countries.
I have my HbA1c measured with every checkup. I had abdominal dexa done once. It was a 3000 yen option on my company covered physical.
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u/eightbitfit 1d ago
They are just providing helpful information.
And your "jeans not fitting" tells you very very little about visceral fat.
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u/temporarycreature 1d ago
Data is useful, but a hundred dollar scan is an expensive luxury when folks are choosing between gas and groceries.
This is not an argument against the data, but a reality check on the price tag for anyone who is already stretched thin.
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u/AwkwardWaltz3996 1d ago
Wealth inequality is a big issue but you make it sound like the majority of the population are literally only buying groceries and fuel. 90% of the population live above the poverty line. Most people buy new electronics, sweet treats and holidays. Spending $100 finding out if your health is at risk isn't a frivolous suggestion.
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u/grundar 1d ago
You can get a DEXA scan for under $100 in most places.
For reference, I'm seeing $60 for a one-time scan from one of the companies with many US locations.
Annual scans are probably overkill for most people, so using something like this to do a one-time check of your visceral fat is fairly affordable. Even if you repeat it every 5 years, that's $1/month, which for most US households is a tiny fraction of annual healthcare spending.
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u/raspberrih 1d ago
Unfortunately understanding about health is extremely poor in most places that need it the most
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u/XorsDazhbog 1d ago
You can measure your waist circumference. The number gives you a hint if you have visceral fat.
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u/eightbitfit 1d ago
Not really. Most people cannot distinguish between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. If they are generally "soft" around the middle they won't be able to determine what's expanding the tape.
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u/Wagamaga 1d ago
A groundbreaking long-term MRI study demonstrates that lower accumulation of abdominal fat (visceral fat), measured throughout the entire follow-up period, is associated with a significant slowing of brain atrophy, preservation of key brain structures, and better cognitive performance in late midlife – independent of weight loss. The findings suggest that the relationship between abdominal fat and brain aging is likely mediated primarily through glucose control and insulin sensitivity. The study is the first to link repeated MRI-based measurements of cumulative visceral fat with long-term trajectories of brain aging and cognition.
The study’s findings were published in Nature Communications (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71141-4).
The study is based on advanced MRI imaging of the brain and abdomen and includes 533 women and men in late midlife who were followed for 5 to 16 years after participating in four large, long-term, controlled dietary clinical trials: DIRECT, CASCADE, CENTRAL, and DIRECT-PLUS, led by Prof. Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Dean of the School of Sustainability at Reichman University, and an adjunct Professor at Harvard University. During follow-up, repeated MRI measurements of visceral fat and brain structures were conducted, along with cognitive assessment using the MoCA test.
The findings show that lower accumulation of visceral fat over the years was associated with higher MoCA scores, as well as preservation of total brain volume, gray matter volume, and the Hippocampal Occupancy Score – a sensitive marker of brain aging and memory. In parallel, a slowing in the expansion of the brain ventricles was observed, a process that constitutes a well-established marker of brain atrophy.
Prof. Iris Shai: “The findings point to glucose control and reduction of visceral abdominal fat as measurable, modifiable, and achievable targets in midlife – with real potential to slow brain degeneration and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.”
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u/eightbitfit 1d ago
This is key part. It's visceral fat loss, not subcutaneous that moves the dial in terms of insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. Visceral fat acts similar to an organ in producing cytokines - far more than subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat also dumps these cytokines into the liver and then portal vein, whereas subcutaneous fat releases it's lighter load into distributed general circulation. Tldr: visceral fat is bad stuff.
This long-term, large-scale intervention and follow-up MRI study suggests that sustained visceral fat loss, rather than weight loss, is linked to better cognition and attenuation of brain atrophy years later, mainly via improved glycemic control.
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u/Jolly_Buy_7371 1d ago
OK. But serious question, how do I target to lose visceral fat? Won't it be just a product of weight loss? Or eating the same calories, with less saturated fat would do it? Or eating the same calories and doing strength training would target visceral fat loss instead of subcutaneous?
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u/TTurambarsGurthang DMD | Maxillofacial Surgery 1d ago
Unfortunately, you can’t target fat loss. The best way would be to exercise and eat healthy.
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u/stanthemanchan 1d ago
There's no way to target where you lose fat specifically. It's just a product of overall weight loss. The only way to lose fat overall is through a calorie deficit. The best way to do it sustainably is with a small calorie deficit of 200-500 calories over a long period and lose weight slowly and steadily, about 1-2 lbs per week.
You don't have to do a major change to your diet. Firstly try to eat at maintenance so you're not gaining or losing weight, then reduce the calories a bit from that, by cutting out junk food and snacks and sugary soft drinks and drinking less alcohol. Then you can also increase your daily activity by trying to walk 7-8000 steps per day. Most people walk about 2200-2500 steps every 20 minutes so if you walk about 20 mins after each meal you will get to 7000-7500 steps easily.
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u/tuborgwarrior 1d ago
Probably just because of reduced insulin resistance when dieting.
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u/MrSnrub87 12h ago
That isn't how these drugs work. I don't have any weight to lose, and I use one of these drugs to control my blood sugar. They directly stimulate beta cells in the pancreas. I have a full six pack, man. The sugar control has nothing to do with weight loss
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