Researchers from Toho University, Japan, have discovered a link between belly fat and brain health. Their study, published in GeroScience, found that visceral fat—deep fat surrounding internal organs—produces CX3CL1, a protein that helps maintain BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which is crucial for brain function.
The researchers studied male mice at different life stages and found that younger mice produced high levels of CX3CL1, which kept their brain function strong. As they aged, both CX3CL1 and BDNF levels declined. Injecting aged mice with CX3CL1 improved their brain function, while reducing it in young mice lowered BDNF levels, reinforcing the connection between visceral fat and cognitive health.
Interestingly, BDNF levels remained stable in younger and middle-aged mice but declined significantly in older ones, mirroring human cognitive ageing patterns. However, the study does not suggest accumulating excess belly fat to boost brain health—only that a healthy amount may play a role in supporting brain function.
Source: Hindustan Times
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
