Belly fat, especially visceral fat around organs, can affect hormone balance in many ways. Fat is metabolically active and secretes hormones and other bioactive compounds. Fat cells' endocrine function can impair hormone homeostasis. Belly fat affects hormone balance in many ways:
Adipokines: Fat-cell hormones. Leptin and resistin are released by visceral fat. Resistin causes insulin resistance, while leptin controls appetite and energy expenditure. An imbalance in these adipokines can impair metabolism-related hormonal signaling.
Visceral fat is significantly linked to insulin resistance, which reduces cell response to insulin. Insulin controls blood sugar. Increased visceral fat can release insulin-resistant molecules, affecting glucose control and changing insulin and blood sugar levels.
Excess abdominal fat affects sex hormone balance. Visceral fat increases androgen-to-estrogen conversion in males and women. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women and low testosterone in men may result from this hormonal imbalance.
Visceral fat increases cortisol, a stress hormone. Chronic cortisol increase can cause insulin resistance, belly obesity, and hormonal disturbances.
Cytokines and interleukins are released by visceral fat. Chronic inflammation from abdominal fat can cause insulin resistance and affect metabolic hormones.
Growth hormone and IGF-1: Belly fat affects growth hormone and IGF-1 regulation. Alterations in hormonal pathways may impact metabolism and tissue growth.
Belly fat disrupts hormonal balance locally and systemically, affecting many organs and systems. Hormonal abnormalities raise the risk of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular illnesses, and other health difficulties.
Follow for more updates