Does Where Your Body Stores Fat Affect Your Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Excess body fat has serious consequences for health . It’ associated with high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides and low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. It impairs the body’s responsiveness to insulin, raising blood sugar and insulin levels.

Can your body change where it stores fat?

“You can change the overall amount of fat you have on your body to a level that’s optimal for you, but you can’t essentially change the base shape, as that’s genetically determined.”

Where is unhealthy fat stored in the body?

Visceral fat, also known as “belly fat,” is the white fat that’s stored in your abdomen and around all of your major organs, such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, intestines, and heart . High visceral fat levels can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, artery disease, and some cancers.

Why does the body store fat in certain areas?

It’s all About the Hormones

One of the biggest influencers of where we store our body fat is hormones. Your hormone level indicates how much fat you have and where it sits on your body. Getting a better understanding of specific hormones and how they work can help you determine what to do about your body fat.

Which type of fat is more threatening to your health?

And although no excess fat is good, one type of excess fat is much more dangerous than the others. Research shows that abdominal fat is the worst of the worst.

Why do I gain weight in my stomach only?

Gaining weight solely in your stomach may be the result of specific lifestyle choices . The two S’s — stress and sugar — play a significant role in the size of your midsection. Certain medical conditions and hormonal changes can contribute to abdominal weight gain.

Can I control where my fat goes?

You might not be able to control where fat takes a hike from first , but you can make sure you’re doing enough exercise to lose weight from somewhere. “To reduce body fat you need to be burning more calories than you’re consuming,” Ms Norgate explains.

How do I stop my body from storing fat?

  1. Grab a bite to eat about 30 minutes before your afternoon slump.
  2. Ensure that every time you eat, both meal or snack you include some form of protein as protein helps to slow down the rate that the food is converted to glucose.

How long does it take for your body to start burning stored fat?

Your muscles first burn through stored glycogen for energy. “After about 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise , your body starts burning mainly fat,” says Dr. Burguera. (If you’re exercising moderately, this takes about an hour.)

Is belly fat different from other fat?

In most people, about 90% of body fat is subcutaneous, the kind that lies in a layer just beneath the skin. If you poke your belly, the fat that feels soft is subcutaneous fat . The remaining 10% — called visceral or intra-abdominal fat — lies out of reach, beneath the firm abdominal wall.

Is stored fat is stored energy?

Fat is the body’s most concentrated source of energy , providing more than twice as much potential energy as carbohydrate or protein (9 calories per gram versus 4 calories each per gram). During exercise, stored fat in the body (in the form of triglycerides in adipose or fat tissue) is broken down into fatty acids.

What kills subcutaneous fat?

To get rid of the buildup of subcutaneous fat, you must burn energy/calories . Aerobic activity is a recommended way to burn calories and includes walking, running, cycling, swimming, and other movement-based activities that increase the heart rate.

Can the body store fat without insulin?

Insulin does work to drive glucose and fatty acids into fat cells but fat cells do NOT need insulin to store dietary fat . A protein call ASP (acylation stimulating protein) causes fat cells to store fatty acids without insulin present and in research, looks like it can stimulate insulin all by itself.

Why do we store fat around the belly?

Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that makes you crave high-fat, carb-heavy foods like pizza, fries, and cookies. Cortisol also deposits fat around your belly . Another way stress leads to weight gain is by keeping you up at night. People who sleep fewer hours tend to have more belly fat.

Where does the body store fat first?

However, in general, Dr. Ali explains, women tend to lose fat first from their lower body — the hips, buttocks and thighs (see ya, saddlebags). Men, on the other hand, tend to store more fat in the abdomen and will typically see the biggest difference there when they start to lose weight.

What is the healthiest way for a person to lose weight?

  • Eat a high protein breakfast. ...
  • Limit sugary drinks and fruit juice. ...
  • Stay hydrated. ...
  • Choose weight-loss-friendly foods. ...
  • Eat more fiber. ...
  • Drink coffee or tea. ...
  • Base your diet on whole foods. ...
  • Eat slowly.

What causes big stomach in females?

There are many reasons why people gain belly fat, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress . Improving nutrition, increasing activity, and making other lifestyle changes can all help. Belly fat refers to fat around the abdomen.

What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat?

  • Cinnamon: It is not only for Christmas, this is a spice you should use daily in your shakes, oatmeal and yogurt. ...
  • Fish: Especially salmon, has a high content of omega-3 fat acids that helps to activate the fat burning process. ...
  • Meat: ...
  • Chilli: ...
  • Water:

What are the 5 foods that cause belly fat?

  • Carb-dense foods. Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr. ...
  • Unhealthy fats. ...
  • Processed meat. ...
  • Fried foods. ...
  • Milk and high-lactose dairy foods. ...
  • Excess fructose (in apples, honey, asparagus) ...
  • Garlic, onions, and high-fiber cousins. ...
  • Beans and nuts.

Why is my lower belly so big?

The most common causes are trapped gas or eating too much in a short time . The sensation of bloating can cause abdominal distention, which is a visible swelling or extension of your belly.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.