Belly fat creates discomfort by causing inflammation inside your body that makes you more likely to suffer the pain of a heart attack as well as diabetes or coronary artery disease. You can reduce your belly fat and improve the way feel by changing the way you eat, exercise and sleep.
Dangerous Visceral Fat
Of the fat on your body, located on places like the arms, thighs and hips, 90 percent is subcutaneous, which means you can squeeze the flab with your hand. Although you have more subcutaneous fat than other fat, the fat on your arms and other areas is largely passive and remains inactive until your body requires energy, according to Harvard Medical School. Fat that lies inside your belly, called visceral fat, differs from subcutaneous fat and surrounds organs, including the intestines and liver, that are key to your well-being. Doctors discourage patients from accumulating belly fat, since the fat blobs unleash molecules, including hormones, inside your body that elevate your risk for a variety of health problems.
Disease and Discomfort
Belly fat diminishes your appearance but also threatens your life with illness that creates extreme discomfort and in some cases death. People with excess belly fat face an increased risk for sleep apnea, diabetes and stroke. Your likelihood to suffer heart disease, along with breast cancer and colorectal cancer, increases as your waist expands. Belly fat triggers inflammatory damage to your airways, which causes asthma and prevents you from breathing comfortably. People with large amounts of visceral fat are significantly more likely to have dementia.
Everyday Effects
MayoClinic.com reports that men with a waist that exceeds 40 inches and women who gain a waist that measures over 35 inches have the highest risk for both disease and uncomfortable daily living. The excess weight typically causes joint and back pain, excessive sweating and the inability to move quickly without becoming exhausted. People who carry expanded waistlines are also more likely to suffer skin rashes and infections as well as depression, disability and sexual problems.
Finding Relief
Although belly fat causes more discomfort than subcutaneous fat, the fat in your stomach typically diminishes faster than other body fat when you modify your lifestyle. Consider at least 30 minutes daily of aerobic exercise like bicycling, swimming or walking at moderate to intense speed approved by your physician. Avoid smoking, which promotes belly fat buildup, and sleep between five and eight hours nightly. Healthy eating is essential, so include vegetables, low-fat dairy, fruit and whole grains with each meal.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Obesity; October 2010
- Harvard Medical School; Taking Aim at Belly Fat; August 2010
- President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition: Exercise and Weight Control
- MayoClinic.com; Belly Fat in Men: Why Weight Loss Matters; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Belly Fat In Women: Taking --- And Keeping --- It Off; April 2011
- Cleveland Clinic: What's Your Gut Tell You?
Member Comments