It is well established that overweight people have a higher risk of suffering heart attacks, strokes and other problems as a result of clogged, hardened arteries, especially those with extra belly fat. But the reasons behind this connection have so far eluded scientists.
A new study in mice gives the first direct evidence of a possible reason this link exists. Scientists showed a connection between inflammation around the cells of visceral fat deposits and the artery-hardening process of atherosclerosis. The body’s own immune cells, responding to that inflammation, may provoke atherosclerosis.
Reducing that inflammation could protect against further artery damage.
Sources:
* Eurekalert January 21, 2008
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