The dangers of belly fat go beyond destroying any hope of an enjoyable swimsuit season. When you accumulate fat around your midsection, it throws off the hormonal and metabolic processes inside your body.
Why is Visceral Fat so Dangerous?
This type of fat is called
“visceral fat,” which is responsible for much of the illness attributed to excess body fat, including an increased risk for heart disease and high blood pressure.
Visceral fat is more dangerous than fat anywhere else on the body, because it can hide deep inside the stomach and wrap around the internal organs.
Scientists and researchers still don’t know exactly why or how visceral fat has such a negative impact on health, but they have determined that an abundance of visceral fat correlates to cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and general metabolic disease.
Visceral Fats Release Harmful Hormones
Visceral fat is metabolically active and releases a potent cocktail of chemicals and fatty acids that can rewire the functioning of the body’s hormones.
How Hormones Create Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Some of the hormones produced by visceral fat increase resistance to insulin, a quick road to Type II Diabetes. In response to decreased insulin sensitivity, the body releases more insulin, which can lead to diabetes and metabolic disorder. Those who suffer from diabetes tend to have high blood pressure and a high amount of unhealthy cholesterol. All of these factors can lead to a heart attack and poor health in general.
These hormones have also been shown to harden arteries leading to heart disease, the number one killer of adults in America.
Women at Greater Risk
Women with high amounts of visceral belly fat are especially at risk of developing breast cancer or colon cancer.
Increased belly fat is usually a symptom of too little daily exercise. Exercise is a crucial component to heart health. Engaging in moderate aerobic activity just a few times a week can strengthen the heart muscle and help regulate insulin production, not to mention lower blood pressure.
Heat disease is now the number one cause of death among American adults and a top killer throughout the Western world.
Heart disease is preventable, and you can extend your life by taking charge of your health. Start exercising today. Watch what you eat and how much you eat. Don’t let stress build up. See your doctor and discuss corrective action.
If you are unsure of how to start, hire a nutritionist, a personal trainer, a weight loss counselor – anything to move you in the right direction to reduce the health risks of visceral fat.