Connecting the Dots of Obesity and Inflammation

Connect-The-Dots

There is a very stark connection between many diseases, chronic illness and that of uncontrolled cellular inflammation. Everything from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and many autoimmune-related conditions have this factor in common.

Tracing the dots back to its first few levels may bring you smack dab in the middle of Obesity as it is now known to present a low grade inflammatory response within many of the body's tissues. It has always been known that being overweight is detrimental to our health, but it wasn't until recently that the known mechanisms were identified. Scientists have started to unravel the mystery of obesity's link to premature death. Although there is still much to learn, it is valuable to understand the known effects of chronic inflammation, as obesity is now becoming an epidemic in the U.S.!

Inflammation: Chronic dangers

Our bodies, by design, has been created with a protective response that leads to the eradication of foreign harmful microorganisms and the repair of tissues. This normal response is called Inflammation. When inflammation becomes  chronic, as in the case of obesity, chemical mediators involved in the various cellular activities, change in dynamics which cause a progressive state of decline.

Fat cells are now considered an immune organ that secretes numerous immune modulating chemicals. Visceral fat, in particular, is associated with the low grade inflammation that seems to contribute to a pathologic feature for metabolic disease through insuline resistance and the promotion of atherosclerotic build-up in our blood vessels. This effect becomes more pronounced when high levels of visceral fat is combined with physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and advancement in age.

Substances called adipokines are a group of peptides  (cell-to-cell signaling proteins) secreted by adipose (fat) tissue. These influence the metabolic process and contribute to proper function. However, the low grade inflammation associated with obesity causes disturbance in their secretion and funtion, and research has identified changes in what we call adiponectin, leptin, and resistin that exhibit harmful effects upon the body in obese individuals.

Adiponectin is a hormone made by fat cells which acts as an anti-atherogenic agent which helps prevent the development of atheroschlerotic plaque in blood vessels, as well as slows the progression of atherosclerosis in coronary velles. It has been shown that high visceral fat reduces adiponectin concentrations.

Leptin is another hormone that is made by fat cells which works in conjunction with the brain's hypothalamus as it regulates energy metabolism and balance. It has been currently praised as having cardioprotective benefits among its other roles in metabolism. Leptin concentrations become adjusted in obesity and contribute to insulin resistance.   

Resistin, another adipocyte-derived hormone, is thought to represent a link between obesity and diabetes. It is believed that serum levels of resistin increases with obesity. There has been a connection found between the rise of resistin levels in the body and that of insulin resistance.

The imbalance which takes place may be the foundation for the accelerated endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance associated with  obesity and the comorbid disorders of metabolic disease. Although more research is needed to clearly delineate the particular relationships, it seems evident that the low grade inflammation caused by obesity and visceral fat lead to the premature development of disease. Individuals with central adiposity, poor blood lipid profiles, hypertension, and/or insulin resistance should seek assistance to prevent further health detriment. 




Sources:
http://www.ncsf.org/enew/articles/articles-ObesityandInflammation.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistin 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11201732
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=10875