The Dangers of Excess Abdominal Fats
Abdominal fats (also known as visceral fats) are found throughout the body but show most particularly in the abdominal region.
It was always considered that abdominal fats were a risk to health but in 2007 studies by the University of South Korea and Washington University School of Medicine discovered the danger may be more pronounced than first thought.
An overweight person may not be in danger as long as they do not have an excess of abdominal fats. Visceral fats increase the risk of heart disease and of inflammation throughout the body. Equally there is an increased threat of type two diabetes, sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome.
Sleep apnea is the interruption of breathing during sleep due to the relaxation of the muscles around the throat. Snoring is one of the symptoms. The problem arises when the oxygen in the blood is reduced as a result of this condition.
The definition of metabolic syndrome varies but tends to include a combination of obesity, raised glucose levels (creating type two diabetes), increased blood pressure, excesses of triglyceride fats and a high level of HDL (bad) cholesterol.
There are two types of fat in the body. The majority of body fats (80%) are made up of ordinary fats (or subcutaneous fats), which are found just under the skin. Abdominal fats are the second group and are found throughout the body, often around your vital organs. It is estimated that 40% of the population have an excess of abdominal fats.
Abdominal fats will restrict the flow of the blood in great enough quantities, which will lead to heart disease. The molecules in them have also been found to secrete interleukin-6 and this promotes inflammation in the body creating more heart disease and type two diabetes.
Testing for visceral or abdominal fats has changed in recent years. Previously the only test was by the use of magnetic or radio waves to observe your abdomen. This is the famous MRI scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. However, the South Korean study already mentioned discovered another test to measure the elasticity of arterial walls.
Healthy arteries unaffected by abdominal fats have nicely elastic walls, a sign of good circulation. Abdominal fats cause the walls to stiffen. The advantage of this discovery is the monitoring is easier, consisting of a device attached to an arm or a leg rather the large static scanning device related to an MRI scan.
Convenience of this type will help with early detection of excess abdominal fats and so of potential heart disease.
The reduction of abdominal fats is obviously advantageous for health reasons. However the need may also by psychological too. Excessive abdominal fats show in the form of the infamous ‘beer belly’ and can dent the confidence of the owner of the body.
Clearly we all need to be doing all we can to control our abdominal fats and develop a flat stomach.
