It's not hard to find out if you have a potentially unhealthy amount of belly fat. It's the visceral fat that wraps around organs deeper in the abdomen that appears to be metabolically active. They also tend to have high blood pressure and too much bad cholesterol, a recipe for heart disease, according to numerous studies.ĭon't start worrying, though, if you only have "love handles" - those are composed of fat near the surface of the skin. For one thing, people with insulin resistance often develop type 2 diabetes. The syndrome - which is estimated to affect over 50 million Americans - comes with a frightening array of potential complications. When insulin loses its power, the body responds by pumping out more of the hormone, which only throws the system further off balance.Īs a result, people with extra belly fat are vulnerable to a whole cascade of problems known as insulin resistance syndrome or metabolic syndrome. One thing's certain: people with large bellies and deep (visceral) fat tend to lose sensitivity to insulin, a crucial hormone that helps the body burn energy. They do know that fat cells actually regulate metabolic functions, and many experts believe fat cells in the belly release especially large amounts of fatty acids, which can wreak havoc on a person's blood sugar and insulin metabolism. Louis, Missouri.ĭespite many years of studies - and an overabundance of potential study volunteers - experts aren't exactly sure why people with large midsections are such frequent targets for disease. When it comes to your health, there's one place where fat is especially dangerous.įat around the midsection is a strong risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancers, says Samuel Klein, MD, the director of the Center for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Doctors, however, see things differently. In these thin-conscious times, many people worry about every extra ripple and bulge, no matter where it shows up. It can strain the seat of a pair of jeans, hang over a belt, or make a wedding ring nearly impossible to remove.
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