Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => New Theories => Topic started by: Expectant_Philosopher on 07/05/2011 23:48:13
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It seems to me that survival and genetic Darwinism would have weeded out those with belly fat long ago, if it weren't contributing to increased survival rates. Just now we are learning that belly fat contains stem cells. Perhaps burning belly fat for energy releases stem cells into the body so the body can repair itself. So the survival trait may be - use of belly fat to increase longevity. Storing fat is not bad, not burning the fat to release stem cells is the bad part. I'd like to see the studies of those individuals who go on starvation diets to live longer. In line with this hypothesis, they would initially see regenerative powers of the stem cells being released into their bodies as they burn their fat, but at some point when they have very little fat, their bodies would go into decline as no more stem cells from the fat would be available.
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Images of body fat has changed over time.
Having excess food, and a sedentary lifestyle used to be considered a sign of wealth.
The fat was developed to store energy, so that when one has excess food (summer/fall), one can store energy that can be used later during the winter. It may also serve in temperature regulation.
Some of the worst consequences of excess fat such as diabetes often show up after the child-rearing years, and thus would have minimal impact on species survival.
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Evolution has not yet caught up with the enormous changes in human culture since the industrial revolution.
In many places where food is sometimes scarce, a fat belly might be an advantage.
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I was really focusing on the possible effects of stem cells in the belly fat as regenerative benefit to the body. That when we exercise we release the stem cells into our body and they migrate to areas of damage and repair the body. Then as we utilize the body fat we improve our health. I'd like to see a comparison between the health of people who have belly fat and exercise, those who have belly fat and don't exercise, and those who have very little belly fat. I wonder what the health of these people would show us statistically?