Pancreatic and ‘Skinny Fat’ Linked to Brain Risks

 I'm sure there is no way you can get this testing and then your competent? doctor will know nothing on how to address it. 

Pancreatic and ‘Skinny Fat’ Linked to Brain Risks

The effect of body fat on brain health may depend not only on the amount of fat an individual has but also on where that fat is stored, new research revealed.

While previous research has established a link between obesity and brain and cognitive health, particularly in people with higher ratios of visceral fat, the current study focused on the risks associated with specific fat distribution patterns, said co-senior author Kai Liu, MD, PhD, associate professor in radiology at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University in Xuzhou, China.

The study leveraged MRI and latent profile analysis (LPA), a modeling technique used to identify unobserved subgroups (latent profiles) within a population, to quantify fat in various body compartments, especially internal organs. The result was “a classification system that’s data-driven instead of subjective,” Liu told Medscape Medical News.

“The data-driven classification unexpectedly discovered two previously undefined fat distribution types” that carried risks for the brain, he said. One was a pancreatic predominant profile. “This was surprising. Though a small organ with minimal total fat, pancreatic fat played a disproportionately important role in our system and defined the profile with the highest brain risk — a finding that somewhat overturned conventional understanding.”

“The other newly defined high-risk type — ‘skinny fat’ — also surprised us,” he said. “It does not fit the traditional ‘very obese’ image, yet it still showed strong associations with adverse brain outcomes.”

The study was published online in Radiology.

High Pancreatic Fat, Low Liver Fat

The researchers conducted a secondary analysis of prospective data from 25,997 participants (mean age, 55 years; 52% female) in the UK Biobank, including health records and MRI scans of the brain, heart, and abdomen.

Participants were included if they had complete data for BMI and nine MRI-derived fat quantification variables from cardiac and abdominal imaging: hepatic proton density fat fraction, pancreatic proton density fat fraction, abdominal fat ratio, muscle fat infiltration, total abdominal adipose tissue index, weight-to-muscle ratio, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume, visceral adipose tissue volume, and mean estimated area of pericardial fat.

Differences in brain volume, white matter properties, cognition, and the risk for neurologic disorders were analyzed across profiles and relative to a benchmark lean profile, and analyses were stratified by sex.

LPA identified six profiles of body fat distribution in both sexes. Of these, compared with the lean profile, “pancreatic predominant” and “skinny fat” profiles were most associated with extensive gray matter atrophy, accelerated brain aging, cognitive decline, and an increased risk for neurological disease, according to the authors. The risks were present in both men and women, with small variations between the sexes.

Specifically, individuals with “pancreatic predominant” distribution patterns showed a proton density fat fraction — an MRI marker that provides a precise estimation of fat concentration in tissue — of around 30% in the pancreas.

“This level is about two to three times higher than that of other fat distribution categories, and it can be up to six times higher than that of lean individuals with low overall fat,” Liu said. “Additionally, this group tends to have a higher BMI and overall body fat load.”

Yet these individuals didn’t have significantly more pronounced liver fat than those with other profiles. Thus, high pancreatic fat accompanied by relatively low liver fat emerged as a “distinct, clinically overlooked phenotype,” he said.

“In practice, we routinely diagnose ‘fatty liver,’ but our findings suggest that — from a neurological risk perspective — elevated pancreatic fat should be acknowledged as a potentially higher-risk imaging marker,” he said.

In individuals with the “skinny fat” profile, fat tends to be more concentrated in the abdomen. “This type does not fit the traditional image of a very obese person, as its actual average BMI ranks only fourth among all categories,” he noted. “The increase is perhaps more in fat proportion. Therefore, if one feature best summarizes this profile, it would be an elevated weight-to-muscle ratio, especially in male individuals.”

The study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Construction Project of High Level Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the Qinglan Project of Jiangsu Province of China, and the Key Research and Development Project of Xuzhou. Liu reported having no conflicts.

Marilynn Larkin, MA, is an award-winning medical writer and editor whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Medscape Medical News and its sister publication MDedge, The Lancet (where she was a contributing editor), and Reuters Health.

A common sweetener found in everything from protein shakes to toothpaste may actually make you hungrier and cause your body to store fat.

Will your competent? doctor ensure the dietician gets this removed from everywhere in the hospital, including vending machines and the gift shop? And then gets EXACT DIET PROTOCOLS DELIEVERED so that will ensure this is not consumed post stroke!

Do you prefer your doctor and hospital incompetence NOT KNOWING? OR NOT DOING?

I was at exactly 25 BMI prior to stroke, then gained 35 pounds because my doctor knew nothing and did nothing to get me recovered enough to continue with all the activities that kept me in shape. 19 years later and I'm still fighting to get rid of the 'Dad' bod.   Received NOTHING ON NUTRITION AND DIET!

 A common sweetener found in everything from protein shakes to toothpaste may actually make you hungrier and cause your body to store fat.

A new study in Nature Metabolism investigated how sucralose, one of the most common artificial sweeteners found in sugar-free snacks, drinks, and protein powders, might not be the weight-management solution many hoped it would be. In fact, it may be doing the opposite of what you want—by triggering hunger rather than satisfying it.

Sweet Without the Satisfaction

Sucralose is a synthetic sweetener derived from sucrose, what most of us know as table sugar. By chemically replacing parts of the sugar molecule with chlorine atoms, scientists created a compound roughly 600 times sweeter than sugar, but with virtually zero calories. That’s why it shows up in everything from diet sodas and baked goods to flavored water, chewing gum, protein powders, vitamins, and even mouthwash.

Brands rarely call it out. Instead, you’ll find sucralose hiding in ingredient lists under names like:

• Splenda®
• E955 (its European food additive code)
• 1′,4,6′-trichlorogalactosucrose,
• Trichlorosucrose
• Or simply “sucralose” on nutrition panels.

Because it’s heat-stable, it’s used in both processed foods and home baking products. If a label says “sugar-free” or “zero added sugar,” chances are high it contains sucralose or a similar artificial sweetener.

How Sucralose Impacts Your Brain and Body

In the Nature Metabolism study, researchers at the University of Southern California looked at how sucralose affects brain activity. Unlike real sugar, which delivers both sweetness and calories, sucralose provides the taste without the energy. This mismatch seems to confuse the brain, especially the hypothalamus, a region that regulates hunger, metabolism, and energy balance.

“Sucralose activates the area in the brain that regulates hunger, and that activation, in turn, is linked to greater ratings of hunger,” said lead study author Dr. Katie Page, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics and director of the Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.

When the brain senses sweetness but doesn’t get the fuel it expects, the hypothalamus reacts by ramping up hunger signals. This effect was especially pronounced in women and individuals living with obesity. In other words: artificial sweetness without calories may make your brain more likely to send you reaching for snacks, not fewer of them.

The study also found that sucralose altered the brain’s functional connections between areas that regulate reward, motivation, and satiety. Over time, this disruption may make it harder to recognize when you’re truly full, and easier to overeat.

So while artificial sweeteners have been marketed as diet-friendly and blood-sugar safe, this research suggests that the brain’s relationship with sweetness is more complex than we thought. When your brain expects a reward and doesn’t get one, it might just keep pushing for more.

Does Sucralose Make You Store Fat?

While sucralose doesn’t directly cause fat gain like excess calories do, growing evidence shows it may actively promote fat storage by altering hunger signals, metabolism, and energy efficiency, even in the absence of overeating.

Here’s how:

• It Increases Appetite: As shown in the Nature Metabolism study, sucralose can stimulate areas of the brain involved in hunger and reward, especially the hypothalamus, without delivering the expected energy. This mismatch can lead to increased appetite and more frequent snacking, which may tip your energy balance toward fat gain over time.
  
• It Encourages Overeating: By intensifying sweet preferences and disrupting satiety cues, sucralose may make it harder to stop eating, especially when you’re around hyper-palatable foods. Some researchers believe this pattern, sweetness without satisfaction, can encourage overeating even if the sweetener itself has no calories.
  
• It Disrupts Your Gut 
  [mahy-kroh-bahy-ohm] noun

  The community of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) living in a particular environment, especially the gut.

  Learn More
  Microbiome: Earlier studies have shown that sucralose may negatively alter gut bacteria, which play a critical role in metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and fat storage. An imbalanced microbiome can increase 
  [in-fluh-mey-shuhn] noun

  Your body’s response to an illness, injury or something that doesn’t belong in your body (like germs or toxic chemicals).

  Learn More
  inflammation and shift the body toward energy conservation and fat accumulation.
  
• It May Interfere with Insulin Signaling: While sucralose doesn’t raise blood sugar directly, there’s evidence that it might affect insulin signaling, especially when consumed with carbohydrates. Impaired insulin response can promote fat storage and make it harder for your body to use fuel efficiently.
  
• It May Increase Fat Mass (Even Without Increased Calories): In a 2021 British Journal of Nutrition study, rats given sucralose over 7 weeks gained more body fat and showed signs of glucose intolerance even though their total calorie intake didn’t change. The animals stored more of the calories they consumed as fat, a metabolic shift that mirrors what’s been observed with other artificial sweeteners.

Sucralose may interact with your brain, gut, and metabolism in a way that increases the odds of fat storage, especially if you’re using it regularly to suppress hunger or replace real food. Pay attention to how it affects your appetite and energy levels and consider experimenting with whole-food alternatives or going unsweetened for a stretch to let your system recalibrate.

What About Other Sweeteners?

Sucralose isn’t alone in this effect. Emerging research shows that other artificial sweeteners may also confuse your brain and body’s hunger signals:

• Aspartame: Has been shown to influence brain chemicals related to appetite and mood. Some people report stronger cravings and mood swings.
• Saccharin: Linked to changes in the gut microbiome, which could affect glucose control and metabolism.
• Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Early studies suggest potential metabolic impacts, but more research is needed.

The common thread? Sweetness without calories can trick your brain, potentially leading to overeating, glucose dysregulation, and cravings, especially in those already managing weight or metabolic health.

Where Is Sucralose Hiding?

Even if you’re not ripping open yellow Splenda® packets, you might still be consuming sucralose daily—often without realizing it. Because it’s cheap, ultra-sweet, and heat-stable, sucralose is added to thousands of foods and products marketed as sugar-free, low-carb, keto, or “healthy.”

Here’s where it most commonly shows up:

Drinks

• Diet and “zero” sodas
• Flavored waters and sports drinks
• Electrolyte powders and hydration tablets
• Energy drinks and canned coffees
• Drinkable yogurt and protein shakes

Packaged & “Health” Foods

• Protein powders and meal replacement drinks
• Low-sugar or “keto” protein bars
• Sugar-free yogurts and puddings
• Frozen desserts labeled “no sugar added”
• Baked goods marketed as low-carb or diabetic-friendly

Everyday Add-Ons

• Sugar-free gum and mints
• Syrups for coffee (including sugar-free versions at coffee chains)
• No-calorie sweetener packets (Splenda® is sucralose)
• Reduced-calorie ketchup, salad dressings, and sauces
• “Healthy” cereals and granolas that boast no added sugar

Non-Food Products

• Chewable vitamins and supplements (especially gummies)
• Over-the-counter medications
• Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Lip balms and flavored personal care items

Want to really know what you’re consuming? The simplest first step is to read ingredient labels, even on products that seem healthy. If a label says “sugar-free,” “zero sugar,” “low carb,” or “keto,” there’s a good chance it contains sucralose or another artificial sweetener like aspartame or Ace-K. Look for “sucralose” or its additive code E955 on ingredient lists, usually toward the end. Swapping out artificially sweetened items for options with natural sweetness (like fruit, dates, or honey) or no added sweetener at all can help your body reset—and your brain recalibrate what “sweet” actually feels like.

If you’re trying to support your healthspan through better nutrition, it’s not just about cutting sugar or calories; it’s about not letting the workaround become the new problem. Here are a few ways to retrain your taste buds to crave less sugar.

Sucralose may not be the free pass we once thought. For some, it may even sabotage efforts to reduce hunger, curb cravings, and regulate weight. That’s why it’s worth experimenting: try reducing your use of artificial sweeteners and replacing them with naturally sweet whole foods or no sweetness at all. Your taste buds, and your appetite, may recalibrate more quickly than you expect.

Caffeine in Your Blood Could Affect Body Fat And Diabetes Risk, Study Reveals

 

And I'm doing it to lower my risk of dementia and Parkinsions. This research doesn't tell me enough to follow it.

How coffee protects against Parkinson’s Aug. 2014  

Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Dementia Feb. 2013

Coffee drinkers rejoice! Drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease 

And this: Coffee's Phenylindanes Fight Alzheimer's Plaque December 2018

I think I'm in this category:  I never get the jitters or flushed skin.

Genetics determine how much coffee you can drink before it goes wrong

I'm doing a 12 cup pot of coffee a day to lessen my chance of dementia and Parkinsons. Tell me EXACTLY how much coffee to drink for that and I'll change. Yep, that is a lot more than the 400mg. suggested limit, I don't care! Preventing dementia and Parkinsons is vastly more important than whatever problems it can cause! 

Does this research suggest I should drink even more coffee to keep the caffeine levels up in my blood?

Caffeine in Your Blood Could Affect Body Fat And Diabetes Risk, Study Reveals

David Nield

Thu, January 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM EST

3 min read

caffeine in your blood could affect the amount of body fat you carry, a factor that in turn could determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Those are the findings of a 2023 study that used genetic markers to establish a more definitive link between caffeine levels, BMI, and type 2 diabetes risk.

The research team, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the University of Bristol in the UK, and Imperial College London in the UK, said calorie-free caffeinated drinks could be explored as a potential means of helping reduce body fat levels.

"Genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower BMI and whole body fat mass," the researchers wrote in their paper, published in March 2023.

"Furthermore, genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Approximately half of the effect of caffeine on type 2 diabetes liability was estimated to be mediated through BMI reduction."

Caffeine in your blood may help determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. (StockSnap/Pixabay)

The study involved data from just under 10,000 people collected from existing genetic databases, focusing on variations in or near specific genes known to be associated with the speed at which caffeine is broken down.

In general, those with variations affecting the genes – namely CYP1A2 and a gene that regulates it, called AHR – tend to break caffeine down more slowly, allowing it to remain in the blood longer. Yet they also tend to drink less caffeine in general.

An approach called Mendelian randomization was used to determine likely causal relationships between the presence of the variations, illnesses like diabetes, body mass, and lifestyle factors.