Excess pounds are harmful no matter where they are put on. But the buildup of fat can become deadly if it accumulates in the abdomen.
Belly Fat
The “beer belly” that is characteristic of many men (and occasionally women) as they age is not only unattractive, it can also be dangerous.
Most of us think of excess fat as inert tissue, but it actually isn’t. Abdominal fat actually pumps toxic chemicals into your body.
In a misguided attempt to protect itself from those chemicals, the body then goes into a state of chronic inflammation.
It is this chronic, low-level inflammation that triggers atherosclerosis, which is also called coronary artery disease.
This type of obesity also contributes to a deadly set of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and glucose intolerance (also called “prediabetes”). Together, these conditions are known as “metabolic syndrome.”
In fact, a recent study found that people with abdominal fat are at a higher risk of heart disease than people whose fat is stored elsewhere.
Losing Weight To Stay Healthy
There are countless ways to lose weight, but the best and most consistent ways involve becoming active with regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet.