People on a weight loss journey are focused on losing weight and often not on targeting visceral fat. But, reducing visceral fat is important for overall health and can improve weight loss outcomes. Visceral fat, also known as belly fat, is the type of fat that accumulates around the internal organs in the abdominal cavity. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is located just beneath the skin, visceral fat can’t be easily seen or measured without specialized medical equipment. While some amount of body fat is necessary for good health, excess visceral fat can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
The Visceral Fat-Weight Loss Connection
Understanding Visceral Fat
Visceral fat is different from subcutaneous fat because it surrounds and infiltrates vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. This means that even if someone has a healthy body weight or a low body mass index (BMI), they can still have too much visceral fat, which can negatively impact their health. One of the biggest dangers of visceral fat is that it produces hormones and other molecules that can interfere with the normal functioning of organs, leading to inflammation and other health problems.
Visceral fat can increase the body’s production of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Visceral fat can also increase levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, two types of fats that can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. This can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries narrow and harden, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Impact on Weight Loss
If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to understand the role that visceral fat plays in the process. While many people focus on losing weight by reducing their overall body fat percentage, it’s the loss of visceral fat specifically that can have the greatest impact on health.
Research has shown that even modest reductions in visceral fat can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes. For example, one study found that women who lost just 5% of their body weight (which for a 150-pound person would be just 7.5 pounds) experienced a 28% reduction in their visceral fat. This was associated with improvements in insulin resistance, blood pressure, and other markers of health.
The good news is that visceral fat is very responsive to lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. In fact, a healthy diet and regular physical activity are some of the most effective ways to reduce visceral fat and improve health outcomes.
Tracking Progress And Seeking Professional Help
If you’re trying to reduce your visceral fat, it can be helpful to track your progress over time. This can be done through regular measurements, such as waist circumference or body composition analysis, or through lab tests that measure biomarkers associated with visceral fat accumulation.
If you’re struggling to lose weight or reduce your visceral fat, it’s important to seek professional help. A doctor or nutritional counselor can provide personalized advice and support to help you achieve your goals.
Personalized Weight Loss Programs At Performance Health In Irvine
Understanding visceral fat and its impact on health and weight loss is crucial for anyone looking to improve their health and reduce their risk of chronic diseases. By making lifestyle changes such as improving your diet, increasing physical activity, and reducing stress, you can reduce visceral fat and improve your overall health and well-being. A healthy lifestyle is an important part of a healthy and sustainable weight loss program.
If you struggle to lose weight, a personal weight loss program will help you learn healthy habits to achieve and maintain weight loss. At Performance Health and Wellness in Irvine, our doctors and nutritional counselors are committed to understanding you personally and medically, accounting for any health conditions you may have, and working to improve these conditions through healthy living. Our holistic approach to weight loss aims to improve movement, mobility, nutrition, and mental health as we embark on your weight loss and health improvement journey. To connect with the Performance Health and Wellness Team, call 1-949-476-1250 or fill out the contact form.
FAQ
I struggle to lose weight because I have a health condition that makes it hard to work out. What can I do?
Visit us at Performance Health and Wellness to receive personal training that accounts for any medical conditions you have. Our dedicated trainers will work with you to create a dietary and workout plan that is safe and effective and that benefits any condition you’re currently struggling with.
I find working out difficult because I don’t know the proper form for lifting weights or what exercises help what muscles. Can Performance Health and Wellness teach me?
Yes, Performance Health and Wellness offers personal professionally trained exercise specialists who can help you learn how to exercise safely and effectively.
How does weight loss benefit health?
Weight loss has been linked to lowered rates of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and chronic diseases related to obesity. Weight loss also typically involves increased exercise, which strengthens the heart, lungs, and joints. Weight loss and exercise can also help to facilitate sleep and improve mental health and self-esteem.
