Excess belly fat, especially visceral fat—the fat that accumulates around your abdominal organs—can harm your health in several ways:
Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases: Visceral fat is metabolically active and releases hormones and inflammatory substances that can interfere with normal bodily functions.
This can lead to insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes: Excess belly fat is strongly associated with insulin resistance, where your cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin.
1. This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels and, over time, may progress to type 2 diabetes, a serious condition that requires lifelong management.
1. Heart Disease and Stroke: Belly fat is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. It can lead to elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, reduced levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and high blood pressure—all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Abnormal Lipid Levels: Excess belly fat is associated with abnormal lipid levels, including high levels of triglycerides and low levels of HDL cholesterol.
Inflammation: Visceral fat secretes inflammatory substances called cytokines, which can trigger low-grade inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of various health problems, including insulin resistance, heart disease, and cancer.