Fat accumulation in the arms indicates a risk of spinal fracture.
- “Surprisingly, we identified for the first time that high-fat arms are negatively associated with vertebral bone quality and strength,” new research states.
- “This could mean that subcutaneous arm fat, which can be easily estimated, could become a useful indicator of spinal bone quality, possibly predicting the risk of vertebral fractures,” says the author.
- “We will now try to determine the most effective physical exercises for high-risk adults to lose arm fat and achieve a favorable effect on the quality of the bone in the vertebrae,” she concludes.
Having a lot of fat in the arms should lead you to be vigilant about the condition of your spine, according to a new study.
Spinal fracture: all fats are indicators
To reach this conclusion, Greek researchers examined 14 men and 101 women without osteoporosis, all with an average age of around 62 years. They then found that people with excess body fat – regardless of their body mass index (BMI) – had poor bone quality in the spine.
Additionally, the deeper the belly fat was located in the abdomen and around the internal organs, the worse the quality of the cancellous bone in the spine.
The scientists then looked at the distribution of body fat under the skin and found that people with higher arm fat were more likely to have poorer bone quality and strength in their spine.
Spinal fracture and arm fat: new research planned
“Surprisingly, we identified for the first time that high-fat arms are negatively associated with vertebral bone quality and strength,” summarizes Eva Kassi, author of the study.
“This could mean that subcutaneous arm fat, which can be easily estimated, could become a useful indicator of spinal bone quality, possibly predicting the risk of vertebral fractures,” she congratulates herself.
She adds : “Visceral fat is the most hormonally active component of total body fat. It produces molecules called adipocytokines that cause inflammation, so the increased inflammatory state likely negatively impacts bone quality. “
The professor recognizes that larger studies are needed to confirm the link between arm fat and the risk of vertebral fracture. “While our results remain strong after controlling for age and weight, we will now increase the number of participants and expand the age range by including younger adults (aged 30 to 50) as well as a greatest number of men”, she specifies.
“In addition, we will try to determine the most effective physical exercises for adults at high risk to lose fat in the arms and obtain a favorable effect on the quality of the bone of the vertebrae”she concludes.
