Want to live a long, healthy life? Looking to slim down and have more energy? If so, do whatever it takes to get rid of abdominal fat!
Believe it or not, stomach fat affects your health on every level. It’s not only unsightly, but dangerous too. A growing body of research indicates that belly fat increases the risk of coronary artery disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, and premature death. Fortunately, these problems can be prevented through diet and exercise.
Why Is Abdominal Fat So Dangerous?
Recent studies have found that belly fat is more dangerous for the heart than general obesity. People carrying extra pounds around the waist have mortality rates that are twice as high as those who are obese. Visceral fat or belly fat appears to be an important predictor for mortality from heart disease and diabetes. Yet, despite this alarming connection, the average waist circumference of American adults has increased by about an inch over the past 15 years.
The fat stored in the midsection is the most dangerous for health because it surrounds your organs. It’s also biologically active, producing harmful chemicals that adversely impact your metabolism and hunger hormones. Over time, it may lead to metabolic disorders, type II diabetes, and decreased lung function. This type of fat releases cytokines, which increase the risk of inflammation, heart disease, and insulin resistance. These fatty acids also raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol levels. Researchers have linked belly fat to a higher risk
of breast cancer, hypertension, inflammatory diseases, sexual dysfunctions, depression, dementia, stroke, and arthritis.
A study conducted on 15,000 people has shown that women with a normal body mass index (BMI) and large waists were 32 percent more likely to die compared to obese women. This suggests that just because your weight is within normal limits, it doesn’t mean you’re healthy. If you carry belly fat, you’re at high risk of chronic diseases.
How Visceral Fat Develops
Not all fat is created equal. The fat on your waist is far more dangerous than the fat on your thighs, arms, or legs. It’s actually considered toxic because it releases hormones and pro-inflammatory chemicals that interfere with brain function, appetite, mood, and metabolism. Belly fat causes inflammation in your body, suppresses the satiety hormone leptin, and increases the hunger hormone ghrelin levels.
This type of fat isn’t necessarily related to obesity.
You can be skinny and still have a large belly.
Visceral fat wraps itself around your liver, gallbladder, heart, and other internal organs, causing major damage. From prolonged stress to high sugar consumption and hormonal imbalances, it has several causes.
Chronic stress is a major risk factor for abdominal fat
When you’re dealing with traumatic events, personal problems, or heavy workload, your cortisol levels go up. Crash diets, poor sleep, and excessive cardio training have the same effect. Cortisol, the stress hormone, causes your body to store fat around the waist. The good news is that you can prevent and reduce abdominal fat by making small lifestyle changes, such as getting more sleep, cutting back on sugar, and staying physically active.
Eat whole, natural foods, avoid fad diets, and make exercise a habit.
With some simple tweaks to your daily routine, you can make big improvements to your physique, including your mid-section. This e-course will provide you with some of the basic information you need to make these changes and get on track to looking and feeling your best.
On day 2 we will take a look at why belly fat is so darn tough to lose!
Talk Soon,
Coach Gino
