Why is Belly Fat so Dangerously Unhealthy?

The list of health risks associated with belly fat increase each year, along with the girth of the nation’s waistline. Loosing abdominal weight is a challenging thing but scientists believe that when your weight is normal, your hormone and chemical levels are normal.

This is said to hinder your appetite, burn stored fat, regulate insulin, and protect against chronic diseases. The good news is that belly fat does come off with dieting and exercise .


Recently, scientists have found that the fat cells of the abdomen release a substance known as angiotensin which constricts blood vessels and causes high blood pressure. Another protein called retinol-binding protein or RBP is released from belly fat and it increases insulin levels. Visceral fat has also been linked to cancer.  It is thought that after menopause, a woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen so the fat cells are the major source at that time. Extra hormone production from fat is thought to fuel the growth of breast tumors as well as colorectal malignancies. Another worrisome fact is that visceral fat is deep in the abdomen near critical organs like the liver and pancreas. The dangerous proteins and chemicals that are released by the fat goes straight to the liver and disrupts the production and balance of cholesterol.

Research indicates that stress plays a big role in the accumulation of belly fat. When you are under stress, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that places your body on alert. It tells your body to store up fat for later use. Unfortunately, you do not need more visceral fat when you already have quite a bit showing. Stress is commonly linked to other unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and increased eating .

How Do You Measure Up?

How do you know if you have too much visceral fat? It is not just your overall weight that is a factor. Your weight should be appropriate for your height, but your abdominal girth measurement is the best way to examine visceral belly fat. Belly fat tends to increase with age. You can use a tape measure around your waist just above your hipbone. Do not suck in your stomach when you do this. The average-sized woman should not have a waist measurement of more than 34 inches. For most men, a measurement of greater than 40 inches is cause for concern.

Oh, What to Do?

It took years for your belly to get this big, will it take years to get it flat again or is this even possible? The good news is yes. If you can exercise at all, you can lose belly fat. Physicians recommend that you get some type of cardiovascular exercise four or five times a day and go on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. You will have to eliminate most empty calorie food and beverage items from your diet and eat healthy. The important thing to remember is that this is a lifestyle change. Cutting out junk food and eating right along with a daily exercise plan is a proven way to rid your abdomen of the spare tire. To maintain a healthy abdominal girth, you will have to change your lifestyle for good.