Science Weekly The truth about fat, and its complex role in our health
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Feb 24, 2026 Declan O’Regan, professor of cardiovascular AI and consultant radiologist, explains how fat is an active, communicating tissue. He discusses visceral fat’s role in inflammation and cardiovascular ageing. Conversation highlights different fat types, why hip and thigh fat can help, limits of BMI and quick fixes, and how fitness interacts with dangerous fat.
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Fat Is An Active Organ
- Adipose tissue is a dynamic organ, not inert fat, with subcutaneous, visceral, white, brown and beige varieties that serve different roles.
- Brown fat (high mitochondria) generates heat in newborns while beige cells can act like brown fat when triggered.
Fat Communicates With The Body
- Fat releases hormones and signalling molecules that affect appetite, blood pressure, blood sugar and inflammation.
- Adipose tissue has a nerve supply enabling two-way communication with the brain, prompting some to call it an organ.
Extra Weight Has Direct Mechanical Harm
- Excess fat causes mechanical strain (joints, sleep apnea) and forces the heart to work harder, raising blood pressure.
- These mechanical effects combine with metabolic changes to harm overall health.