Nick Norwitz explains how visceral belly fat accelerates brain shrinkage through inflammation, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose metabolism. Resistant starch and specific peptide formulas can reduce visceral fat even when calories stay the same.
The fat in your belly might be shrinking your brain, and that's not a metaphor— literally shrinking it. It's called visceral fat, and it's the kind of fat that's hidden. You can't pinch or jiggle it. And data from randomized trials finds that higher levels of visceral fat, specifically the type that's wrapping around and choking your internal organs, is linked with faster brain shrinkage. But the big question is— How? How does fat in your abdomen affect your brain? Well, I can think of several mechanisms. For example, visceral fat acts like a hormonal factory for inflammatory molecules that get into your bloodstream. These molecules can promote brain neuroinflammation. The bottom line is visceral fat is sending signals to promote inflammation, insulin resistance, and energy depletion in the brain, and that can lead to brain shrinkage. But there's good news because beyond the fundamentals, there are interventions that have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce visceral fat, even in calorie-controlled studies, including resistant starch supplementation and specific peptides. More below, but the takeaway is simple: visceral fat is whispering to your brain, and it's kind of an asshole.
