Excess belly fat is not only aesthetically displeasing, but it’s also a major health risk. Excess belly fat, even in people who are otherwise considered to be at a healthy weight, increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions. This post will explore just how much belly fat is too much, and what you can do to get rid of it.

The more you know about belly fat, the better. It could be dangerous to your health and there are lots of reasons why having too much can make life difficult for us.

Too Much Belly Fat = Chronic Diseases 

Too much belly fat can cause health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. And why is that?

It’s because it causes inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. Inflaming organs, such as fat, can lead you down a dangerous path where inflammation becomes chronic, which in turn causes more problems than it solves.

Visceral fat can release a lot of inflammatory cytokines. These small proteins help control the growth and activity of other cells in your immune system. When they’re released, they tell the immune system to do its job. This makes you more likely to get injured in the same way.

Fat and Hormones 

Did you know that having too much belly fat can alter your hormones, making it harder to lose weight? That’s because when you have excess fat around your waist, your body is also producing more of the hormone leptin. 

Leptin regulates appetite and energy expenditure, and it signals to your brain when you’re full. However, high levels of leptin can lead to leptin resistance, making it harder to lose weight. 

Belly fat can also increase levels of the hormone insulin. Insulin helps to regulate blood sugar levels, but it can also promote the storage of fat. 

Excess abdominal fat can lead to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol promotes the release of stored energy (in the form of glucose) into the bloodstream, which can then be used by the body in times of stress. However, chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which have been linked to weight gain.  

As you may know, belly fat is often associated with a lack of exercise and a poor diet. Now that we know, hormones can also play a role in it.

Exercise

If you’re looking to lose belly fat, moderate-intensity exercise is key. However, if you’re not exercising at all, then it’s time to start slow with some brisk walking or water aerobics. 

If you are working out and still have belly fat, then the problem might be the type of exercise you’re doing. You need to switch things up in order to stimulate your hormones. Belly fat is often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as a sedentary lifestyle, eating processed foods, and stress. But with the right exercise routine, you can finally start seeing results. 

Diet

The diet is not just for your stomach’s sake. It can also help you lose unwanted weight, belly fat, and improve other aspects of health too.

If you have high insulin resistance, it will be easier to gain weight around your midsection since that’s where most people store their extra fat when they eat a lot more than what’s considered healthy or balanced meals throughout each day. This can lead to issues with diabetes down the line! 

Additionally, stressed individuals often experience higher levels of cortisol secretion, which impacts thyroid hormones in addition to leading them towards having bigger bellies than desired. A poor diet increases these problems. 

The healthiest diet is one with an abundance of vegetables, lean protein, and good-quality fats. If you’re not getting enough fresh produce or relying too heavily on processed foods like chips, then your body will suffer as a result.

Hormone Balancing 

Another major thing is hormone balancing. You may be on the best diet, and you may be exercising a lot, but you’re still not seeing results. 

Hormone balancing is one of the most effective ways to lose belly fat. Routinely checking your hormones and making sure they are in proportion to your metabolism can help reduce belly fat. When your hormones are in balance, it helps to regulate your metabolism and reduce belly fat. Additionally, hormone balancing can help improve your overall health and well-being. By ensuring that your hormones are in balance, you can reduce belly fat, improve your health, and feel your best.

When it comes to weight loss, a functional medicine practitioner is your best friend. We can give you the right tests and information that will help accelerate healing and allow you to reach your goals faster. 

So, how much belly fat is too much? The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think. What we do know is that excess belly fat can lead to a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and type II diabetes. Additionally, having an excessive amount of belly fat can throw your hormones out of balance, making it harder for you to lose weight (or even just maintain your current weight). But don’t worry—there are things you can do to help get your hormones back on track and reduce your waistline. Exercise and diet are key, but hormone balancing may be necessary for some people as well. If you’re concerned about the amount of belly fat you carry or want to take steps to reduce your risk for chronic disease, please call us for a free consultation. We would be happy to discuss ways we can help you reach your health goals!

If your belly fat won’t go away, it’s time to get the right information from a functional medicine practitioner who can give advice on how best to manage this condition and make sure that all of our clients are getting healthy again! We’d be happy to schedule a discovery call with you. During this call, we can discuss your symptoms in more detail and come up with a plan tailored specifically for you.

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DISCLAIMER:  The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional