Deccan Chronicle

Visceral Fat

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If you have a belly that is growing, it probably is because of accumulation of visceral fat and it is time you do something about it.

In an article on Medium.com, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, Technologist and Cognitive Scientist cautions, “body fat is essential. In addition to serving as a natural energy source, our body needs some fat under the skin for various reasons. For example, our organs need fat as padding to protect them from external pressure. So subcutaneous fat under the skin serves this purpose. However, visceral fat is accumulated around the organs. So, when visceral fat passes the threshold, our metabolic risks significantly increase.”

Excess visceral fat gets accumulated due to various reasons such as consumption of high-calorie diets with very less or no physical activity, genetic factors, hormonal changes, chronic stress, and other lifestyle-related factors.

Tips

  • Have a healthy diet with portion control.
  • Increase your intake of soluble fibers and lean proteins.
  • Weight control is a must.
  • Regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day (moderate intensity) is a must.
  • Focus on managing your stress.
  • Avoid foods containing trans fats.
  • Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
  • Avoid drinking large amounts of fruit juices.
  • Avoid sugary foods and beverages.
  • Cut down on refined carbohydrates.

Read the full story that first appeared in Deccan Chronicle dated April 1. 2022 here and here:

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