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Your Workouts Are Changing Your Belly Fat, Even If You Can’t See It
A new study revealed that regular exercise not only reduces belly fat but also makes it less harmful. This “healthier” version of belly fat functions better and can have long-term health benefits.
The Real Danger of Belly Fat
Belly fat gets a bad reputation for a reason—it’s linked to serious health issues, like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Subcutaneous vs. Visceral Fat
When your body gains fat, it usually stores it in subcutaneous fat cells, the kind found just under your skin. But if those cells become too full or can’t store any more, the fat gets redirected to a more dangerous type of fat called visceral fat.
Risks of Visceral Fat
Visceral fat sits deep in your abdomen, wrapped around vital organs like your liver and intestines. This type of fat is particularly harmful because it actively releases inflammatory hormones into your bloodstream, making your body less responsive to insulin thereby increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other cardiometabolic health problems. Plus, because it surrounds important organs it can negatively affect how well those organs work.
How Exercise Transforms Belly Fat For Better Health
Researchers found that regular exercise helps make fat tissue more flexible, allowing fat cells under the skin to expand and store fat more effectively. Additionally, exercise reduces inflammation in the tissue, which contributes to the transformation of belly fat into a healthier state.
Essentially, exercise doesn’t just burn belly fat, it changes the way your fat cells function.
Reduced Inflammation and Better Circulation
Research shows that compared to people who don’t exercise, people with excess weight who exercise regularly have less inflammation and more blood vessels in their fat tissue, leading to better circulation. This may contribute to lowered risk of heart disease and other cardiometabolic issues.
Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity
Regular exercise leads to better insulin sensitivity, meaning your body is more efficient at using energy from their fat stores, regardless of your body mass index (BMI).
So, adding regular exercise to your routine can help you burn fat and prevent health issues associated with stubborn belly fat. A win-win!
Beyond Exercise: Promising Advances in Weight Loss Medications
While exercise is a powerful tool, it’s not the only option. Researchers are now exploring advanced weight loss medications that target visceral fat while preserving muscle mass, offering even more ways to improve metabolic health.
Combining these groundbreaking medications with regular exercise could create a synergistic effect, further transforming belly fat into healthier, less inflammatory tissue. This holistic strategy not only aids in reducing harmful fat but also supports overall well-being and metabolic health, offering a comprehensive approach to managing body weight and reducing obesity-related health risks.
Every workout counts, not just for weight loss, but for making your body healthier from the inside out. Whether through movement, medication, or a combination of both, science is proving there’s more than one way to take control of your health.
CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS
Chandar Abboy, MD
Dr. Abboy is a physician board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, and sleep medicine. He is a Principal Investigator at Care Access, overseeing multiple clinical trials.
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