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Past Articles:
Fat Burning Workout Tips
How to Get Your Target Heart Rate
THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF VISCERAL FAT
by Kit Rich
It is no surprise that weight gain leads to chronic disease. It is commonly accepted fact that obesity is directly related to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many other physical as well as psychological complications.
There is certain fat, however, that is more dangerous than others — and it is called visceral fat. Also known as intra abdominal fat, less-than-flattering slang terms for this type of fat include pot or beer belly, muffin top and apple shaped.
There are two types of fat — subcutaneous and visceral. Subcutaneous is the type of fat located directly under the skin. Visceral fat is actually deeply embedded surrounding the organs.
Metabolized by the liver,visceral fat is then turned into cholesterol that goes into the blood stream. This cholesterol, LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), typically known as “bad” cholesterol, is a wax-like build up that constricts the arteries. The complications range from heart disease, hypertension, insulin resistance possibly resulting in diabetes and even metabolism problems.
The leading causes of visceral fat include genetics, environment (think eating habits and sedentary lifestyles) and prescription drugs that cause weight gain. If your diet is high in saturated fat (i.e. butter, fat from meat), your daily calories consist of 30% fat intake and you consume more than you expend (energy in vs. energy out), then typically you have a higher chance of gaining and sustaining visceral fat. Post-menopausal women have a larger percentage of the pesky fat due to the estrogen decline in the ovaries, where fat gets transferred from the buttocks, thighs and hips to the midsection.
A person with a healthy body mass index or, BMI, can still have some visceral fat leading to health complications. Someone with extra fat around the midsection should be concerned, but the only true way to detect visceral fat is by getting an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
A combination of a healthy diet and moderate to intense exercising can prevent visceral fat from forming. To reduce accumulation, walk briskly for 30 minutes a day, six days a week. For the reduction and reversal of visceral fat, increasing duration and intensity of exercise is recommended along with a proper diet. Spot exercising such as engaging in crunches will not help reduce the fat, but the reps will help build muscle. It is important to be consciously aware of the choices you make when it comes to your health and to have intimate knowledge about your family background. By understanding if you have a predisposition to weight gain or chronic disease, you are better able to discern if there is an immediate need to take preventative steps. Knowledge is power and only you have the power to change your destiny and your midsection.