Let’s talk about visceral fat. This type of fat is different from the fat we may feel just beneath our skin.
Visceral fat is deeper inside and wraps around the organs in our abdomen including our stomach, liver and intestines.
Due to its location, it can be hard to feel or see. The problem is, if we have too much visceral fat, it can contribute greatly to serious health concerns.
High amounts of visceral fat in our bodies can put us at risk for:
- Heart Disease
- Type II Diabetes
- Stroke
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
Now, what can contribute to an accumulation of visceral fat? Things that play a role include:
- Poor dietary habits (high fat and high sugar intake)
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Genetics (body shape and visceral fat storage)
- High stress
An individual’s level of visceral fat can be approximated using different measurement techniques of the hip and waist. Companies such as InBody offer equipment that can help detect these levels inside of our body. Now, higher levels of body fat will likely point to higher levels of visceral fat as it makes up around 10% of total body fat.
How do we reduce visceral fat? The answer may not surprise you. The best ways to reduce visceral fat are:
- Proper nutrition (lean protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains)
- Regular exercise and activity
- Consistent, quality sleep
- Limit alcohol intake
- Reducing stress
Lifestyle changes can be the best way to make reductions in visceral fat. Eat right, get moving, make sleep a priority and see what making better daily habits can do for your overall health!
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Michael Allen
Author Bio
Michael has been working with clients in the gym and countless adults in a physical therapy setting since 2013. He spent 3 semesters working at Towson University with student-athletes from nearly every sport at the school. He served as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Kennard-Dale High School during the 2019-2020 school year. His goal is to always get better and give you the safest and most effective use of your time at First Capital Gym.