For years, everyone has been telling us that a high amount of body fat in our bodies predisposes us to various diseases. These may include obesity, diabetes and even heart disease. Experts believe that this happens because the fatty infiltration into muscles is little known and therefore gaining much attraction in medicine for its contribution as a silent perpetrator of heart risk.
What are Fatty Muscles?
According to our expert, Dr Shubendu Mohanty, Senior Consultant at Cardiology, Shardacare, Healthy City - Greater Noida, fat infiltration into skeletal muscles is defined as intramuscular fat accumulation or fatty muscles. These cases are predominantly found in people with obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and other metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. Adding to that Dr Mohanty said, “Intramuscular fat must not be confused with the subcutaneous fat found beneath the skin and visceral fat found surrounding the internal organs. Instead, it is the accumulation of fat within muscle tissue itself, which may damage muscle functionality and healthy metabolism.”
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Link Between Heart Disease And Fatty Muscles
The research suggests that fatty muscles may increase the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) through several mechanisms:
1. Insulin Resistance
Intramuscular fat is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, is a well-established risk factor for heart disease.
2. Chronic Inflammation
Dr Mohanty shared that the infiltration of excess fat into the muscles can activate low-grade inflammation, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which in simpler terms means the hardening and narrowing of the arteries.
3. Poor Physical Function
Excess muscle fat can lead to poor physical function, which leads to a decrease in activity levels. Additionally, inactivity is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.
4. Fatty Acid Spillover
Intramuscular fat can release free fatty acids into the bloodstream, which in turn increases the lipid levels and promotes plaque buildup in arteries thereby deteriorating heart health.
Who Is at Risk?
While fatty muscles can affect anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable:
- Individuals with obesity
- Older adults
- People with metabolic syndrome
Prevention and Management
Reducing intramuscular fat and minimising its impact on heart health involves a multifaceted approach. Here are a few prevention and management strategies Dr Mohanty shared:
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet
- Weight management
- Monitor metabolic health
Bottomline
Possibly one of the ignored contributors to a risk of developing heart disease might be fatty infiltration of muscles in individuals with obesity or metabolic disorder. This could be mitigated by adopting proactive approaches to being more active, in terms of exercise and nutrition, and overall well-being. This is an ongoing piece of research. Staying up to date on this topic will be important and maintaining healthy lifestyles will be paramount in protecting the heart.