Adipose tissue, also known as fat, serves the body by storing energy and providing cushioning and insulation. We need this adipose tissue for normal functioning; however, adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that can become dysfunctional.
The reason adipose tissue is called an endocrine organ is that it produces hormones called adipocytokines(2). These include leptin, tumour necrosis factor, interleukin 6, adiponectin and resistin1. Resistin, leptin and adiponectin are more widely used in the assessment of adipose tissue dysfunction(2).
Excess fat that develops over time around the centre of the body is known as visceral fat and the fat that sits under the skin is subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous and visceral fat function differently and dysfunctional changes in fat tissue are particularly expressed in visceral fat(2).
When this visceral fat becomes dysfunctional, resistin levels are raised(2), leptin levels are elevated and adiponectin levels are lowered(1). What does this mean for our health? Well, raised resistin is associated with a greater type 2 diabetes risk, increased inflammatory markers and atherosclerosis(2); lowered adiponectin promotes insulin resistance and atherosclerosis(2); and leptin is independently associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease(2).
So what do say we get rid of that belly fat once and for all?
One day or day one – you decide ;)
References
1. Stokic, E., Kupusinac, A., Tomic-Naglic, D., Smiljenic, D., Kovacev-Zavisic, B., Srdic-Galic, B., Soskic, S., Isenovic, E. (2015) ‘Vitamin D nd Dysfunctional Adipose Tissue in Obesity’ Angiology 66(7), pp613-618.
2. Popovic, D., Tomic-Naglic, D., Stokic, E. (2014) ‘Relation of resistin, leptin and adiponectin – Trinity of adipose tissue dysfunction assessment’ European Journal of Internal Medicine 25(2014), pp80-81.