Visceral fat technically means excess intra-abdominal adipose tissue accumulation. In other words, it is known as a “deep” fat that is stored further underneath the skin than “subcutaneous” belly fat. It is a form of gellike fat that is actually wrapped around major organs, including the liver, pancreas and kidneys.
Visceral fat is especially dangerous because, as you will find out, these fat cells do more than just sit there and cause your pants to feel tight – they also change the way your body operates.
Types of fat
There are different types of fat present in the body. Brown fat, white fat, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, belly fat, and thigh fat.
- Brown fat: Scientists have found that lean people tend to have more brown fat than overweight or obese people.
- White fat: White fat is more plentiful than brown. It is to store energy and produce hormones that are then secreted into the blood stream
- Subcutaneous fat: It is found directly underneath the skin. It is fat that is measured using skin fold calipers to estimate your total bodyfat.
- Belly fat: It has a reserved reputation as unhealthy fat. Abdominal fat is viewed as a bigger health risk than hip or thigh fat.
- Thigh and buttock fat: While men tend to accumulate fat in the belly it is no secret women, especially if pear shaped, accumulate it in their thighs and buttocks.
- Visceral fat: Visceral or deep fat wraps around the inner organs and spells trouble for your health.
Carrying around excess visceral fat is linked with an increased risk for many fatal diseases like coronary artery disease, cancer, stroke, dementia, diabetes, depression, arthritis, obesity, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders etc.
When there is too much glucose ill our bloodstream and our cells already have filled glycogen stores, glucose is stored as fat. The more often and longer that blood insulin levels remain high, the more likely a person is to accumulate excess body fat and to battle weight problems. Insulin also communicates with many other hormones needed for various functions, including those made in the adrenal glands, such as the stress hormone cortisol. Abnormally high levels of insulin and hormonal imbalances result in powerful urges to eat, mood changes, lack of energy and various other factors that contribute to disease formation. Hence it is very important to maintain a healthy insulin level in our blood stream.
Management:
Research suggests that when you control diet, you mostly lose white fat, which is different than visceral fat and tends to be lost or gained evenly all over the body. You are more likely to lose visceral fat when you combine exercise with diet control.
Naturopathy Treatments
- Oil massage improves general health and helps in mobilising fat.
- Mud therapy (direct & indirect).
- Hip bath.
- Steam & sauna bath increase the body’s basal metabolic rate and help as an adjuvant in burning fat.
- Warm water enema, regularly for the first 3-4 days of fasting, and thereafter, every alternate day during extended periods of fasting, is beneficial.
- Friction baths, graduated immersion baths, neutral whirlpool and underwater massage are also beneficial.
- Fasting, initially for a period of 3-4 days, on low calorie liquids, such as lemon juice and adequate intake of fluids, is useful.
- Fasting once a week thereafter is adequate.
Visceral fat, in fact, is an avoidable health nuisance which should not be alIowed to accumulate at all. In this, proper diet, exercise and sleep are the most important tools to help you out.
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