Visceral fat
The New England Journal of Medicine looked at more than 350,000 people found that those with belly fat have a higher risk of DYING compared to their peers without a spare tire. Why? Because belly fat is metabolically and biologically active. Belly fat functions as an endocrine organ producing hormones and other chemical messengers and toxins that affect appetite, insulin action and that increase inflammation and make it difficult for your other organs like your kidneys, liver and heart work properly. For instance, visceral fat is located close to the vein that carries blood to your liver. The hormones and toxins that belly fat produce gets in that vein and is carried to your liver. One effect is that it causes your liver to produce more LDL cholesterol, which can collect in your arteries oxidize and become inflamed leading to swelling that narrows the arteries, restrict blood flow, strains your… (continue reading)