"Obesity, diabetes and aging create the perfect storm for chronic disease development "
Professor Antonio Vidal-Puig closes the scientific workshop "Frontiers in Aging, Immune Metabolism and Inflammation" at the University of Navarra.
20 | 06 | 2025
"Obesity and aging converge, since the state of obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic stress accelerate the natural mechanisms of aging. Therefore, when demographic changes, population aging and high prevalence of obesity and diabetes coincide, a synergy is generated that favors complications such as neurodegeneration, cancer and cardio-metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. It is the perfect storm". This was stated by Professor Antonio Vidal-Puig, Full Professor of Molecular Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Cambridge, researcher at the Príncipe Felipe research center and Honorary consultant in Metabolic Medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital, during the closing session of the scientific workshop Frontiers in Aging, Immune Metabolism and Inflammation, held at the University of Navarra.
The meeting, organized by the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, brought together more than 350 national and international experts to address the links between metabolism, immunity and inflammation in the context of aging.
During his talk, Professor Vidal-Puig emphasized the essential role of adipose tissue in maintaining metabolic balance. "Adipose tissue has a bad reputation, but it is indispensable. Its insufficiency can lead to diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver or insulin resistance", he explained, while comparing its function to that of a suitcase: "The problem is not having fat, but not having a 'suitcase' big enough to store excess energy safely".
In this context, he stressed the need to strengthen mechanisms that favor the elimination of excess energy, which could improve insulin sensitivity, prevent diabetes and contribute to weight loss.
Nutrition and exercise: keys to healthy body fat
Vidal-Puig emphasized nutrition and physical exercise as pillars in the prevention of metabolic diseases. "Exercise is not only beneficial for muscle utilization and development ; it acts as an efficient energy and glucose utilization system, protecting vulnerable organs from excess nutrients. Its beneficial effects even extend to the brain," he said.
He also stressed the importance of the quality of nutrients and their combinations, for a balanced per diem expenses without exceeding the caloric needs of the body. "Nutrition can optimize the body's functionality if it provides the right nutrients, in the right quantity and in the right combination. This reduces the stress to which the organs are subjected when compensating for nutritional deficiencies," he concluded.
