Excess weight and immunity: Doctor reveals hidden long-term effects
A cardiologist explains why excess weight is dangerous (photo: Freepik)
Excess weight can negatively affect not only appearance but also health. It leads to reduced immunity and disruption of the endocrine system, according to cardiologist Nataliia Todurova.
The impact of weight on health
According to the doctor, excess body weight is not just a passive energy reserve but a source of silent inflammation. In other words, body weight directly affects the body’s ability to defend itself.
“When I see a person with excess weight, I immediately understand that they have disorders of the endocrine and immune systems,” she added.
Excess adipose tissue, especially visceral fat in the abdominal area, constantly releases cytokines — inflammatory proteins.
When the immune system fights this inflammation for many years, it becomes exhausted. As a result, when a real threat appears in the form of viruses or bacteria, the immune system no longer has enough resources to protect the body.
How excess weight weakens immunity
The cardiologist explained that the activity of T-lymphocytes, which are responsible for recognizing and destroying viruses, decreases first.
There is also a deficiency of vitamin D, a key hormone of the immune system. In adipose tissue, it becomes “trapped” and cannot enter the bloodstream. Even if taken as a supplement, it may not be properly absorbed.
This leads to a hormonal imbalance. Fat tissue begins to produce leptin, which triggers leptin resistance. Leptin directly affects the thymus, where immune cells are trained. When leptin levels are too high, it leads to dysfunction in the body.
“Therefore, if you have a weak immune system or frequently get sick, you first need to address metabolism — that is, body weight — and only then focus on immunity,” the doctor noted.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
