Because visceral fat is not something that can be seen or touched like the subcutaneous fat that is located under your skin, many people are unaware of the hidden health risks associated with visceral fat. Instead, visceral fat is found deep within your abdomen and wraps around your essential organs. This is a significant cause for concern because visceral fat has been linked to a variety of serious health problems, including stroke, diabetes, certain malignancies, and others. The question now is: how can you determine whether or not you have visceral fat? Consume This and Not That! Health consulted with medical professionals who shared five warning indicators with the publication. Continue reading, and make sure you don’t miss any of these sure signs that you’ve already had COVID to protect not only your health but also the health of others.
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Dr. Antonio Cueva, a general surgeon at Renew Bariatrics who is board-certified and has over 18 years of expertise, explains how the procedure works as follows: “The liver, the pancreas, and the intestines are just some of the essential organs that have visceral fat surrounding them. This sort of fat is often known as “hidden fat” because to the fact that it is housed deep within the abdominal cavity, where it cannot be seen or pinched. This fat is extremely difficult to lose. Visceral fat surrounds internal organs because this particular form of fat serves as a cushion and protects those organs from injury. This is why visceral fat wraps around internal organs. They contribute to maintaining the appropriate spacing between these organs. On the other hand, having an excessive amount of visceral fat can contribute to inflammation and a rise in blood pressure, all of which can put a person at a greater risk of acquiring chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.”
According to John Angstadt, MD, Director of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Staten Island University Hospital, the following can be expected from patients who undergo these procedures: “When you consume a greater quantity of calories, your body responds by depositing fat in several different areas of your abdominal region. The mesentery is a layer of fat that surrounds and insulates the blood arteries that supply your intestines with blood. As a result of your body depositing fat in that area, the thickness of your mesentery will expand significantly as your weight does. The omentum is a flap of fat that hangs off of the transverse colon and covers the interior of your intestines. This flap of fat is termed the omentum. The omentum, which is typically on the thin side, has the potential to become significantly thicker as one gain more internal fat. The last step is the deposition of internal fat around the kidneys in the lower back region of the abdomen. Visceral fat can be found in all of these different areas within your abdominal cavity. An increase in visceral fat may result from an increase in calorie consumption of any kind. Drinks high in sugar and alcohol are frequently identified as common offenders because they contribute additional calories to your diet yet provide no discernible nutritional value. We have a tendency not to calculate the calories in liquid foods, even though it is simple to take a large number of calories in a very short amount of time.”
Dr. Angstadt states, “Visceral fat, also known as intra-abdominal fat, has been linked to an increase in weight in recent years. Patients who have a body mass index of more than 30 are considered to be in danger. The body mass index, also known as BMI, compares a person’s weight to their height and provides a basic indication of whether or not they have an unhealthy amount of body fat. As your body mass index (BMI) rises, you will start to store fat not only around your intestines but also in other areas of your belly.”
Apparently, in the words of Dr. Angstadt, “There is a correlation between having more abdominal fat and an increased risk of cardiometabolic disease. You put yourself at a greater risk of acquiring diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease when you have a larger waistline as a result of having more fat stored in your abdominal region. Your life expectancy will decrease as a result of these disorders. An increase in waist circumference of more than 35 inches in women and more than 40 inches in men is connected with an increased chance of acquiring these diseases. The risk of having these diseases is also associated with being overweight.”
According to Dr. Cueva, the following are symptoms that indicate that you have visceral fat. “A big waist circumference is one of the most obvious symptoms that a person has too much visceral fat. This is one of the most obvious signs that someone has too much visceral fat. You likely have an unhealthy amount of visceral fat if you have a waist circumference that is greater than 35 inches (for women) or 40 inches (for men).
A high waist-to-hip ratio: This ratio is an excellent predictor of how much visceral fat you have. If this ratio is high, this means that you have a lot of visceral fat. Simply divide the number you got for your waist measurement by the number you got for your hip measurement to get your waist-to-hip ratio. If your ratio is greater than 0.9 (for men) or 0.85 (for women), this indicates that you have an unhealthy amount of visceral fat and are at an increased risk of having various health issues.
A high body mass index (BMI): Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater implies that you are obese, which may imply that you have an unhealthy amount of visceral fat.
If you have a protruding belly, sometimes known as a “pot belly” or a “beer belly,” this is another external symptom that you have an unhealthy amount of visceral fat in your body. This occurs when there is an excess of visceral fat, which causes the stomach to protrude outward.
Higher blood pressure has been associated with visceral fat, and since visceral fat has been connected to higher blood pressure, continuously high blood pressure is a solid indicator that you have an excessive amount of visceral fat. Be sure to get it checked out by a medical professional so that you can exclude any other possible causes.”
Dr. Angstadt shares the following tips to help get rid of visceral fat.
- “Reduce intake of sweet drinks and alcohol
- Increase your activity (walking, running, exercise of any kind)
- Substitute high-calorie foods for lower-calorie foods (skip the French fries or chips and add the salad or fruit)
- Increase the fiber in your meals (makes you full longer and has fewer calories)
Heather Newgen
