How to Beat the Belly Fat That's Wrecking Your Health

 How to Beat the Belly Fat

Over the last few decades, we’ve started to understand that fat cells aren’t just cosmetic issues—they can cause severe health issues, especially when it comes to belly fat (also known as visceral fat). What causes belly fat? Why does it matter to your health? How can you get rid of it? All this and more will be answered in this guide on how to beat the belly fat that’s wrecking your health.

What Is Belly Fat?

Being overweight increases your risk of a long list of health issues, and belly fat is one of them. While it’s not just about being overweight, your waist size—particularly around your stomach—is an important indicator of your health. The higher that number, says Pamela Peeke, MD, author of Fight Fat After Forty and director of sports medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Visceral fat cells are linked to inflammation and diabetes. Elevated visceral fat can also lead to liver dysfunction or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A worsening waist circumference is linked with increased chances for heart disease.

What Causes Excess Belly Fat?

One of the biggest culprits when it comes to visceral fat is insulin resistance, which makes it hard for your body to use insulin effectively. Insulin’s job is simple: It brings the sugar into your cells so they can be used as energy. When you have insulin resistance, however, your cells become resistant to that insulin, and all that sugar stays in your bloodstream. In turn, fat builds up around organs like your liver and kidneys—which do not have a role in processing sugar. This triggers inflammation throughout your body.

 How to Beat the Belly Fat That's Wrecking Your Health

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