Beware Of The Visceral Fat!
Our bodies contain a variety of fats, a few of which are riskier than others. Subcutaneous fat is the soft, squishy fat that you can see and feel when you stick your finger into your abdomen. Visceral fat is a specific type of dangerous abdominal fat that is found deep within the skin, typically in or near the organs. Due to invisible visceral fat, we might not be able to lose abdominal fat.
Due to its sporadic appearance, Visceral Adipose Tissue, or VAT, is also referred to as “hidden fat”. It encloses crucial organs and may result in major health problems. Visceral fat is harmful because it directly affects the condition and performance of organs. A certain amount of fat is required by our body to preserve its organs, yet too much fat can still be harmful. Moreover, it generates hormones that promote inflammation, which has an impact on a variety of health-related issues. Visceral fat poses a serious threat to the heart because it increases the risk of cardiovascular problems, strains the heart and arteries, and makes the heart work harder to pump blood.
The hormones and inflammation that keep us obese and lead to various health problems are produced like a factory by visceral fat, which is biologically active. Consuming “carbage”— junk carbs that contain sugar and refined wheat—junk carbohydrates, we promote the development of this deep, dangerous belly fat.
As the waistline enlarges with age, which typically happens in postmenopausal women, visceral fat becomes evident. Visceral fat can be reduced by changing one’s lifestyle, albeit it might be challenging for women because they have lower levels of the hormones that regulate metabolism. As women age, they lose muscle and develop more belly fat. The development of body fat can be hidden by maintaining a steady weight, despite the fact that a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial elements of the solution. Women lose muscle mass and gain belly fat as they get older. While a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential components of the answer, maintaining a stable weight can mask the development of body fat. Good mental hygiene can prevent the build-up of visceral fat in women.
An expanding waistline is a common result of visceral fat accumulation in the abdominal region. Although this is typically not the first sign of harmful visceral fat levels, it could be the most obvious one. Another effect of increased visceral fat build-up is easy fatigability. Things that were once simple or controllable may become difficult, such as walking to the shop or climbing a flight of stairs. Many lifestyle diseases are brought on by the build-up of visceral fat. Overindulgent people run the risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes or hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke risk, and even colorectal cancer which will lower their quality of life. Abdominal fat is a risk factor for “metabolic syndrome,” which must be watched out for. Thyroid hormones are also important to be aware of because they regulate cortisol and insulin levels as well as metabolism.
The term “beer belly” does not accurately describe the development of visceral fat in the abdomen. Beer might not be the main cause of a man’s android obesity or bulging stomach, but alcohol use may be a factor in overall body weight. Since they produce more chylomicrons, which contain fatty acids and cholesterol, when visceral fat and abdominal subcutaneous fat accumulate, men’s bellies get larger. Studies have shown a connection between metabolic disorders in androids, such as insulin resistance and obesity. It may lead to hypertension or a flow of fatty acids that affects the liver and pancreas. In both obese men and women, visceral fat is a substantial predictor of death.
As people age, their body fat percentages increase in both sexes. The locations of fat in the bodies of pre-menopausal men and women differ, according to a study published in Frontiers in Physiology. Contrary to women, who often accumulate weight in their hips, thighs, and buttocks, males typically store visceral fat in their bellies, giving them an apple shape. It is easier to measure excess waistline fat in men than in women, which is also known as “android obesity.”
Long-term mitigation or prevention of the development of certain diseases can be achieved through proper lifestyle management. Similar to addressing problems with weight gain in other regions of the body, making lifestyle choices that support maintaining a healthy body size helps you improve your health. What you consume is critical to weight management. A nutrient-dense diet rich in lean meats, healthy fats, soluble fibre and robust vegetables is encouraged. It is advisable to limit processed foods and common inflammatory substances including gluten, wheat, dairy, and sugar—along with drinking lots of water! Maintaining an active workout regimen and paying greater attention to your diet will help you stay at a healthy weight and reduce the possibility that visceral fat will surround your organs. While it’s easy to monitor the condition of your visible skin and treat aches and pains, it may also be easy to overlook less noticeable ailments. While it’s admirable to put in the effort to develop a six-pack or other eye-catching physique, you should take caution not to ignore a growing waistline as it could be a sign that a silent killer like visceral fat is beginning to appear. In this case, the adage “What’s on the inside, counts more than what’s on the outer,” is appropriate.
