(NaturalHealth365)  A massive new study of over 21,000 people just proved that where you carry fat matters way more than how much you weigh when it comes to how fast your heart ages.

Scientists used artificial intelligence to analyze detailed heart scans.  They found something shocking: people with more visceral fat – the hidden fat wrapped around internal organs – had hearts aging significantly faster than their actual age.

This isn’t the fat you can grab around your waistline.  Visceral fat lurks deep inside your abdomen, wrapping around your liver, stomach, and intestines.  You can have dangerous amounts of it even if you look thin.

Researchers developed a method to calculate each person’s “heart age” by analyzing 126 different measurements from cardiac MRI scans.  They checked how stiff the arteries had gotten, how well the heart muscle was working, and looked for signs of tissue inflammation and scarring.

When they compared these heart ages to people’s real ages, troubling patterns showed up.  Those with the most visceral fat had hearts aging faster than expected.  Fat distribution between men and women created totally different health outcomes, too.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, represents one of the biggest analyses ever done on how body fat distribution affects cardiovascular aging.

Men and women store fat differently, with different results

The research revealed fascinating differences between how men’s and women’s bodies handle fat storage and what that means for heart health.

Men usually pack fat around their midsection – the “apple” shape everyone talks about.  This pattern turned out particularly bad for cardiovascular aging.  The more belly fat men carried, the faster their hearts aged past their real years.

Women showed something more complicated.  Visceral fat was still bad, but fat stored around hips and thighs – that classic “pear” shape – actually seemed to protect against heart aging.  This protection worked best in premenopausal women, suggesting estrogen plays a significant role in how fat affects cardiovascular health.

Higher estrogen levels in premenopausal women matched up with slower heart aging, giving biological proof for what many suspected about hormones and heart protection.

Why visceral fat wrecks your heart

Visceral fat isn’t just sitting there storing energy – it’s active tissue pumping out inflammatory compounds straight into your bloodstream.

The study found higher inflammatory markers in people with more visceral fat.  This tissue creates constant low-grade inflammation that speeds up the aging of the heart and blood vessels.

This explains why some people with normal BMIs still get heart disease, while others who look overweight stay cardiovascular healthy.  Where you store fat is more important than how much you have.

Natural ways to cut visceral fat

Unlike genes or age, visceral fat buildup is mostly under your control through lifestyle changes that go way beyond counting calories.

Fix insulin resistance: Visceral fat and insulin resistance feed off each other.  Cut refined carbs and eat foods that keep blood sugar steady.  Intermittent fasting works particularly well for reducing visceral fat specifically.

Eat more protein and fiber: Higher protein helps keep muscle while losing fat.  Fiber feeds good gut bacteria that help control fat storage.  Both keep you full longer, too.

Lift weights: Cardio burns calories, but strength training builds muscle that torches visceral fat even when you’re sitting around.  Even fit people with more visceral fat showed faster heart aging, so exercise type matters.

Handle stress better: Cortisol pushes visceral fat accumulation.  Meditation, decent sleep, and actually dealing with stress help normalize cortisol and reduce belly fat storage.

Balance hormones naturally: Since estrogen protects women’s hearts, supporting natural hormone production matters.  Get enough healthy fats, avoid hormone disruptors, and keep blood sugar stable.

Try targeted supplements: Green tea extract, omega-3s, and chromium show specific benefits for cutting visceral fat through different metabolic pathways.

Fix your gut: New research links gut bacteria to fat storage patterns.  Fermented foods and prebiotic fibers might help shift fat storage away from the dangerous spots.

The lead researcher pointed out that while staying active matters, hidden visceral fat can still hurt even fit people.  This shows we need comprehensive approaches that address fat distribution, not just fitness.

This research changes how we should think about body composition and health.  Your heart’s biological age depends less on what the scale says and more on where your body stores fat – something you can actually influence.

Want to learn comprehensive strategies for cardiovascular health and natural approaches to reducing harmful visceral fat?  Get access to Jonathan Landsman’s Cardiovascular Docu-Class featuring 32 expert presentations from leading heart health specialists who share evidence-based strategies for supporting cardiovascular function, reducing inflammation, and optimizing heart health naturally.  Discover proven approaches to address the root causes of heart disease, support circulation, and protect your cardiovascular system through targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

Sources for this article include:

Academic.oup.com
Medicalxpress.com