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Fat and aging: a tale of two tissues
1Division of Endocrinology, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. 26276czl@comb.es
Current Aging Science
|December 22, 2009
Summary
The thrifty aged hypothesis suggests aging reduces energy use to benefit offspring. Adipose tissue changes, like visceral fat gain, support this evolutionary "reduced energy extraction" strategy.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Gerontology
- Metabolic studies
Background:
- The thrifty aged hypothesis (TAH) posits aging involves reduced energy consumption post-reproduction.
- Natural selection may favor reduced energy extraction (REE) strategies in older individuals.
- Metabolic changes during senescence include significant alterations in adipose tissue distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the relationship between aging and adipose tissue modifications.
- To propose an evolutionary explanation for age-related fat redistribution.
- To investigate if fat redistribution aligns with the TAH and promotes REE.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of existing literature on aging, metabolism, and adipose tissue.
- Evolutionary framework application to understand fat redistribution.
- Hypothesizing the functional role of visceral fat accumulation in aging.
Main Results:
- Age-related fat redistribution, specifically the loss of subcutaneous fat and gain of visceral fat, is proposed as a consequence of the TAH.
- Visceral fat accumulation may not be optimal for storage but serves to limit energy extraction pathways.
- Adipose tissue modifications are hypothesized to promote reduced energy extraction strategies.
Conclusions:
- Fat redistribution during aging is an evolutionary adaptation supporting the thrifty aged hypothesis.
- Visceral fat accumulation plays a role in limiting energy mobilization, aligning with reduced energy extraction.
- Understanding adipose tissue changes offers insights into aging and evolutionary strategies.
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