Amount of Central Fat Predicts Mortality Risk in Non-Obese Individuals

#143

Related:

Glycine’s Role in Fat Loss and Metabolism

  • The speaker observed a significant reduction in visceral fat after adjusting their methionine and glycine intake, noting a drop from 350 grams to 54 grams.
  • Increased glycine intake and reduced methionine intake have been linked to enhanced fat oxidation and reduced adiposity.
  • Research indicates that lower glycine levels correlate with higher visceral fat levels, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy glycine-methionine ratio.

From this post: Glycine+NAC vs Rapamycin - #380 by RapAdmin

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#144

Externalized Inflammasomes in Visceral Fat Sustain Obesity-Related Inflammation

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.125.327146

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#145

I’ve been drinking green tea, but have not ventured into the duckweed yet…

These Foods Melt Visceral Fat: Study Reveals!

CGPT5.1 Summary:

A. Executive Summary (≈200–260 words)

The video reviews a large, 18-month randomized dietary intervention comparing three diets: (1) standard healthy dietary guidelines, (2) calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet, and (3) the same Mediterranean diet plus two additions—green tea and Wolffia globosa (“duckweed”), a high-protein, high-fiber aquatic plant. This enhanced protocol is termed the Green-Med diet. Nearly 300 participants followed equal exercise routines, with both Mediterranean groups instructed to maintain a calorie deficit while the control group was not.

All three diets reduced visceral fat, but the Green-Med diet produced ~3× greater visceral fat loss than either the standard Mediterranean diet or the healthy-diet control. This occurred despite equal weight loss between the two Mediterranean diet groups, suggesting the additional visceral fat reduction is not solely explained by calorie deficit. MRI scans confirmed larger VAT reductions in the Green-Med group.

The researcher notes the study did not measure actual caloric intake, only assigned calorie-target ranges, leaving some uncertainty. However, correlations show that higher blood polyphenol levels, lower red-meat intake, and greater duckweed (Mankai) consumption are all associated with greater visceral fat reduction. These are associations, not proofs of causality.

The findings challenge the commonly held belief that visceral fat loss is driven almost entirely by calorie deficit. The data imply that specific dietary components—green tea polyphenols and duckweed’s nutrient profile—may produce VAT-targeting effects independent of total caloric reduction.

The takeaways: a whole-food diet plus exercise reduces VAT modestly; adding specific plant compounds notably amplifies VAT loss; and certain foods may exert targeted metabolic effects beyond simple caloric restriction.

B. Bullet Summary (12–20 bullets)

  • Study: ~300 participants randomized into 3 diets for 18 months.
  • Groups: healthy-diet control, Mediterranean diet, and Mediterranean + green tea + duckweed (“Green-Med”).
  • Only the Mediterranean groups were assigned calorie deficits.
  • Duckweed replaced a portion of dietary protein with plant protein.
  • All groups followed the same exercise program.
  • All diets reduced visceral fat (VAT).
  • The Green-Med diet produced ~3× greater visceral fat reduction than the others.
  • MRI imaging confirms visibly larger VAT reduction in Green-Med participants.
  • Weight loss was the same between the two Mediterranean groups.
  • Yet VAT loss was double in Green-Med vs normal Mediterranean—suggesting non-calorie mechanisms.
  • The study did not track real caloric intake, only target ranges.
  • This creates uncertainty around whether intake drift differed between groups.
  • Higher blood polyphenols correlated with larger VAT reduction.
  • Lower red-meat intake correlated with greater VAT loss.
  • Higher duckweed (Mankai) consumption correlated with greater VAT loss.
  • Associations are adjusted for sex and age but not fully confounder-controlled.
  • Polyphenols may play a metabolic or anti-inflammatory mechanistic role.
  • The results challenge the belief that visceral fat reduction is purely calorie-driven.
  • Practical conclusion: Whole-foods + exercise works modestly; adding green tea and duckweed produces substantially larger VAT reductions.

D. Claims & Evidence Table

Claim Evidence Provided Assessment
Green-Med diet causes ~3× more visceral fat loss than other diets VAT change bars, MRI examples, p-values between groups Strong (RCT structure + imaging; but still one study)
Extra VAT reduction is independent of calorie deficit Equal weight loss between Mediterranean groups but unequal VAT loss Moderate (plausible but caloric intake wasn’t measured)
Duckweed and green tea are the causal agents Correlation with duckweed intake and polyphenol levels Speculative (associational only)
Polyphenols drive VAT reduction Correlation between polyphenol levels and VAT change Weak–Moderate (consistent with literature but not causal proof)
Reducing red meat supports VAT loss Correlation plot Weak (correlation only; many confounders)
Calories are not the only primary driver of visceral fat reduction Discrepancy between weight loss and VAT loss Moderate (insightful but still single-dataset dependent)

E. Actionable Insights (5–10 items)

  1. A standard Mediterranean diet helps reduce visceral fat; adding specific plant foods may enhance the effect.
  2. Daily green tea intake is a low-risk, high-polyphenol intervention with likely VAT benefits.
  3. Wolffia globosa (duckweed/Mankai) may substitute some protein intake while promoting VAT reduction.
  4. Higher dietary polyphenol load (berries, dark leafy greens, herbs, spices, teas) correlates with greater VAT loss.
  5. Lower red-meat consumption is associated with greater VAT reduction.
  6. Exercise remains additive—each group improved with identical physical activity.
  7. Progress should be measured with waist circumference or imaging, since weight alone can obscure VAT changes.
  8. For practical adoption: combine Med-style diet + calorie control + daily polyphenol-rich foods.

H. Technical Deep-Dive (Mechanisms)

  • Green tea (EGCG & polyphenols): Increases AMPK activation, enhances fat oxidation, improves hepatic lipid handling, reduces inflammatory cytokines, and may preferentially reduce VAT due to metabolic sensitivity of visceral adipocytes.
  • Duckweed (Wolffia globosa): High-protein (40–50% dry weight), rich in polyphenols, micronutrients, and fermentable fibers. Potential mechanisms: improved insulin sensitivity, lower postprandial glucose response, enhanced GLP-1, modulated microbiome, reduced inflammatory signaling.
  • VAT-specific sensitivity: Visceral adipocytes are more hormonally active and respond strongly to changes in insulin, cortisol, adipokines, and AMPK signaling—explaining why polyphenols and plant nutrients may create disproportionate effects.

I. Fact-Check of Major Claims

  • “Green-Med diet produces triple VAT loss.” Supported by peer-reviewed publications (e.g., Ben-Gurion University DIRECT-PLUS trial). True.
  • “Calories are not the only driver of VAT loss.” Supported: VAT is more sensitive to hormonal signaling, inflammation, and mitochondrial dynamics than subcutaneous fat. However, caloric deficit remains a major driver. Partially true.
  • “Duckweed causes VAT reduction.” No direct causal trials isolating duckweed alone. Speculative.
  • “Polyphenols drive VAT loss.” Supported by mechanistic and some human evidence (green tea, anthocyanins, resveratrol), but dose effects vary. Moderately supported.
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#146

LoL! many of us on the forum are way past that :slight_smile:

I’m looking forward to being 70 in about 7 weeks :slight_smile:

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