Biochemists refer to fat as lipid and it is solid at room temperature. However, oil is liquid at room temperature. All fats and oil are made up of fatty acids. It is the individual fatty acids that make all the difference to our health. This makes a good case for understanding good and bad fats.

Visceral fat

Excess body fat is more than just a cosmetic problem. It’s a health problem, which you should not ignore. Your waist circumference helps our experts predict the presence of VISCERAL fat in your body. Visceral fat surrounds your liver, pancreas, and intestines. It is metabolically active and dangerous for your health. Presence of this fat is the most vital indication that you need to lose weight.

Why is visceral fat bad?

Well, that is because it releases harmful chemicals, which could lead to any/all of the following lifestyle problems:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Knee pain
• Acne
• Hair loss
• Type 2 diabetes
• PCOD
• Skin infection
• Breathing difficulty
• Infertility
• Sleep disturbance
• Certain cancers
• Gastro intestinal problems
• Low immunity

Subcutaneous fat

Subcutaneous fat is fat that is found directly under the skin. It’s the fat that’s measured using skin-fold calipers to estimate our total body fat. Subcutaneous fat in the thighs and buttocks might not be as bad and may have some potential benefits. It may not cause as many problems as other types of fat such as visceral fat. However, subcutaneous fat cells on the belly could be dangerous if ignored completely.

Good & bad fats

Good fats refer to saturated fats that are found in meat, tropical oils, dairy products such as cheese, high-fat milk, curd, and butter. Saturated fats increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Bad fats refer to saturated fats and trans fats, which raise the total blood cholesterol levels and the LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol. Saturated fats are found in foods such as meat, dairy products, eggs, and sea food. Trans fats are found in packaged foods, fried foods, and other fast food snacks. Oils extracted from olives, groundnuts, sesame seeds, rapeseed, canola, and flaxseed contain a good quantity of Mono-unsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA). MUFA protects the cardiovascular system. Olive oil is the most popular choice as a heart-friendly oil since it is the richest in MUFA. It helps reduce LDL level (bad cholesterol). It is rich in squalene, which dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure. Squalene provides our tissues with oxygen. Further, it helps prevent arteriosclerosis. Olive oil contains compounds that lower cholesterol. Furthermore, unrefined, virgin olive oil is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin E, and magnesium, all of which promote heart health.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)

EFA are pivotal for normal growth and development of our body. The fact that makes them crucial is that the human body does not manufacture them. Thus, the only way to acquire them is through our diet. Two major classification of EFA include Omega-6 and Omega-3. The ideal ratio between the two categories is 4:1. General Indian diet has Omega-6 in abundance (without the addition of oil in the cooking process). The invisible fat present in cereals, grains, vegetables, and dals ensures around 10-15 grams per day of Omega-6 fatty acids. Moreover, fish, walnuts, soybeans, almonds, leafy vegetables, and flaxseeds are rich in Omega-3. The worrying part is that people do not eat these as much as the ones mentioned above, which makes our body Omega-3 deficient. Further, we add approximately 35 grams of vegetable oil to while cooking. These vegetable oils are rich in Omega-6, which further disrupts the balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3.

Low HDL and high cholesterol

Low HDL values tend to pose a bigger threat to the heart than high cholesterol levels. The only way we could boost our HDL levels is by exercising and consuming more Omega-3 rich food. Moreover, switching over to oils extracted oils extracted from olives, groundnuts, flaxseeds, canola mustard, and reducing the consumption of oils rich in PUFA would be helpful.

Lifestyle and heart diseases

Heart diseases have a direct proportionality with our lifestyle. Therefore, good and healthy lifestyle changes that we can make as early as possible in our lives will more likely help save us from cardiovascular tragedies.

Why is belly fat dangerous

If you have heard that belly fat is dangerous because it could lead to numerous health issues, you are absolutely right. Presence of excess belly fat is the biggest indication that you have visceral fat. Visceral fat is extremely dangerous and can affect your health even before you know it. Therefore, the best way out is to get rid of the belly fat. This will help you stay healthy and fit.

Concerns with belly fat

The crucial aspect of belly fat that you need to know is that it is not just limited to the additional layer of padding right below the skin, also known as subcutaneous fat. This fat includes visceral fat, a very dangerous form of fat that resides s deep within your abdomen and surrounds all your internal organs.

A large amount of belly fat increases the chances of you developing dangerous health issues such as:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Indigestion and acidity
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Type 2 diabetes

Belly fat – age and genes

You need to know that the way you would balance the food you eat with the energy you burn largely determines your overall WEIGHT. Therefore, if you decide to eat a lot and exercise very little, you will most likely add extra pounds, which will lead to formation of belly fat.

However, age factor plays a major role in gaining belly fat. With age you lose a lot of muscle, especially when you do not have a physically active schedule. Moreover, this loss of muscle mass results in a decrease in the rate at which your body utilizes the calories you take in. This makes it that much more challenging for you to maintain a healthy weight for longer periods. Further, with age, fat cells present in the arms and legs of certain people lose the ability to store fat. Consequently, any excess fat would go towards your abdomen, leading to formation of belly fat. In many cases, your genes can also have a direct bearing on you being obese or overweight. Your gene can also decide where your body stores the excess fat.

Therefore, now that you know all about fat, and how bad fat can cause serious health hazards, it’s time you took matters into your own hands! Health Total offers effective weight loss plans, to help you lose fat and maintain good health. Give us a call on out toll-free number  1-800-843-0206"> 1-800-843-0206 to talk to our expert doctors and nutritionists, and book your free appointment today.