Fat around organs more susceptible to severe Covid than fat under skin: Study

Washington, Dec 7 (PTI) Scientists have found that the fat around the liver, intestines and other organs, or visceral fat, contributes more towards severe COVID-19 than does subcutaneous fat, or fat under the skin as in "love handles", according to a study.

Visceral fat is usually considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the University of Sao Paulo (USP) also found that when visceral adipocytes, or tissues where fat is stored as an energy source, were infected, they produced a larger amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which warned the immune system of the existence of a threat to be combated.