Today, I am on a mission to expose the truth about visceral body fat. Although this is not a pretty story, someone has got to tell it. About three years ago, my dearest and best friend, lost their battle with overweight disease. Had they known earlier about the adverse effects of obesity, they would be alive today. So, with painstaking compassion, I share my experience with excess visceral fat and the unknowing truths. You may be able to save a life.
Excess Visceral Fat
Thank you for coming back for Part 2 of Body Fat Types. We are going to dive deeper into the realms of body fat. Furthermore, you get to see what carrying extra weight looks like. Plus, I know all of you Lizzo fans detested my last few posts. There is no one quite like Lizzo. She is extremely beautiful. Hope she knows about excess visceral fat.
Body fat shows up in thighs, arms, legs, buttocks, stomach and face. The trouble is visceral fat is daunting. In fact, it is wreaking havoc on the local, national and global landscape. Are you ready to slay the body fat dragon? You got this!
You are Not Alone
More than one-third of adults in the United States have obesity. This means that 36.5 percent of adults have obesity. Another 32.5 percent of Americans are grossly overweight. You know what? This is a lot of people. Moreover, obesity affects 1 in 6 children in the U.S. You probably see where I’m going with these statistics.
Visceral Versus Subcutaneous Fat?
Visceral fat is an excess of accumulated adipose tissue. It is also known as ‘deep” fat. Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat is stored further underneath the skin. Another difference is that it is not just in the belly area. Visceral fat can develop around other organs such as the liver, pancreas and kidneys.
Cellulite is Subcutaneous Fat
Cellulite, on the other hand, is persistent subcutaneous fat. It causes dimples (orange peel, cottage cheese) on the skin. It is another annoying intruder in our bodies. Check out my previous article: Best Anti-Cellulite Product of 2022-Dismantling the Dimples.
Unintended Consequences of Visceral Fat
When visceral fat attacks an organ causes major damage to cell tissue. It is a gel-like substance that we are weary of. Visceral fat is extremely dangerous. It can spread to any area of your body, including the brain. If left unchecked, it causes blood clots and spreads deadly toxins throughout your body. Are you getting my message?
My Personal Experiences with Body Fat
I am so lucky to be alive. I have been in the ER way too many times. Please learn from my mistakes. Too much junk foods. Way too much processed foods. Too much ice cream and way too much pizza. Factor in too much stress and no exercise. This is the perfect recipe for disaster. Don’t do this to yourself. Respect your body. You give one per lifetime.
Hear Me Out!
Don’t you dare walk away. Did you know that visceral fat is a walking time bomb? Yes, indeed it is. Let me explain. For starters, it is linked to many fatal diseases. That’s right. Next, carrying visceral fat over time is deadly. Hear me out. It causes coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke dementia, diabetes, arthritis, depression, obesity, kidney failure, sexual dysfunction and sleep disorders. Visceral fat is relentless.
The Good News – You CAN Fight Back
Know your strengths and weakness. You know what I’m saying? Of course, you do. First thing I recommend is – take a deep breath. Next, go to a quiet space away from noise where you can sit quietly and be silent for 15-20 minutes. Say to yourself, “I want this”, “I can do this” and mean it. Do this activity for a few days or a week. Reprogram your mind to become healthier and happier.
Measure Your Own Fat
Give yourself a chance to repurpose your life. Makes gradual changes to your daily activities. Buy more fruits and vegetables. Join a group where they go on walks, drink more water, get more sleep and fight back. You got this! I will be with you every step of the way. Visceral fat is not going to ruin another life. The buck stops here. You can also buy a Bello device to check your own fat levels.
Five Types of Body Fat
Adrenal:
Mostly all autoimmune diseases stem from the adrenal system. In fact, these diseases are treated with adrenal hormones such as Prednisone and Cortisol. They are anti-inflammatory agents. As women age, have a decrease in hormones. As the cortisol levels increase, there are changes in the body. Sagging belly, cravings, sleep disruption.
Solution: Increase intake of protein and vegetables.
Thyroid:
The thyroid gland is a complicated organ. Biologically, it s a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. It sits above the collarbone. For your information, it is one of your endocrine glands. Did you know that the endocrine glands make hormones? Another vital fact, your thyroid hormones control how fast you burn calories. In addition, they control how fast your heart beats. Finally, the thyroid gland helps regulate metabolism.
Thyroid Problems Include:
- Goiter – enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Hyperthyroid – overproduction of thyroid hormones
- Hypothyroidism – does not produce enough hormones
- Thyroid nodules – lumps in the thyroid gland
- Thyroiditis – swelling of the thyroid
Ovary:
Estrogen causes fat to be stored in the buttocks, thighs, and hips in women. When women reach menopause, the estrogen produced by the ovaries decline. Fat migrates to these areas and is later stored as belly fat.
When you are stressed, the cortisol hormone is activated. Stress can trigger an accumulation of cortisol, which in turn, stores as fat.
Anecdote:
My daughter was skipping school, going to the mall during middle school. During this time, I was extremely stressed out. As the stress continued, my belly fat continued to grow. Walking, yoga and meditation helped me tremendously.
Liver:
The liver regulates chemical levels in the blood. For example, the liver excretes bile to carry away waste products. Also, as the blood leaves the stomach and intestines, it passes through the liver. In essence, the liver is a unique filtering system in the body. As a result, sometimes it malfunctions. Thus, Hashimoto or Graves’ disease can set in.
Note:
If you have a gallbladder issue, eat foods that support your liver (greens, spirulina). If you have an estrogen issue, eat foods to balance your estrogen (cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and bok choy)
Pancreas:
The pancreas is a fat-making hormone. It creates natural pancreatic juices to break down foods. Step one, these juices travel through the pancreas via ducts. Step two, they empty into the upper part the small intestines. This area is the Duodenum. Step 3, each day your pancreas makes 8 ounces of digestive juice. This juice is filled with enzymes. Pancreas plays a big role in your digestion.
Brown Fat Versus White Fat
Along with visceral and subcutaneous fat, there are other breeds. For example, some people have Baby Fat and/or Love Handles. Additional types of fat include Brown, White, Thigh and Buttock. So, let’s dig a little deeper. Let’s get our biological hands dirty. Join me on the next episode of Body Fat Types Part 3. See you then.
- Brown fat
- White fat
- Belly fat
- Thigh and buttock fat
- Exicure for Brown Fat (boosts brown fat)
- Baby fat
- Love handles
Final Take Home
I’m not going to lie, I love food. In fact, I have been a food addict most of my adult life. So, I can tell you, diets have always been my nemesis. Although my weight decreased, the pounds always returned. My biggest challenge was changing my mindset. I finally, realized that I was, literally, digging my grave with my teeth. I’d always end up in the emergency department. So, I’ve learned from my mistakes. Knowledge is power.
Being overweight or obesity is a serious problem. However, it is not a death sentence. It is a sign that something is not right. Maybe you have stress-overload. On the other hand, your weight gain is caused by genetics or hormonal imbalance. Go deep into the cause and there lies your answer. To thine own self be true.
Hope you enjoyed this journey into the cause and effects of visceral fat. Hope you will join me on the post: Part 3 of Body Fat Types. Feel free to leave your questions and comments below.
Until next post,
Rachele, Founder
mybluegenes.com