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On your body, there’s one place where fat is especially dangerous.

Fat around the midsection is a high-risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancers. Most studies show this to be true. The tests show that too much belly fat tends to prompt a loss of sensitivity to insulin, which is a crucial hormone that helps the body burn energy.

When insulin loses its power, the body responds by pumping out more of the hormone, which only throws the system off balance further.

As a result, belly fat brings on a whole cascade of problems known as insulin-resistance syndrome or metabolic syndrome. Over 50 million Americans are affected—big bellies come with a frightening array of potential complications. For one thing, people with insulin resistance often develop type 2 diabetes.

They also tend to have high blood pressure and bad cholesterol, which, according to numerous studies, are a recipe for heart disease.

Check your belly fat with a tape measure. These numbers will tell you if you have a problem. If you are a man, a waist circumference of more than 40 inches means you are at a higher risk for heart disease and many other diseases. Women with a waist circumference of over 35 inches are at increased risk.

In general, our body shape is a reflection of both our genes and our lifestyle. Different people put on fat in different places. Some people naturally carry weight in their midsections (an apple shape) while others are more bottom-heavy (a pear shape).

Inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle is not the only reason; it’s the food you are consuming. Put down the fast food, beer, and soda. Stress—such as dissatisfaction that comes from a high-pressure, low-paying job—can encourage the buildup of fat around the midsection.

A bulge in the belly is a wake-up call. If you can trim down your midsection, you will go a long way toward preventing the health problems associated with belly fat. A healthy lifestyle can ward off fat from top to bottom, and especially the middle. When you lose weight, your body will make getting rid of belly fat the highest priority.

Cosmetic surgeons cannot help us; we have to change our lifestyle. It’s all about what we are eating, drinking, and doing. Looking healthy is not the same as being healthy. Women who had about 30 percent of their body fat suctioned off didn’t move any closer to avoiding diabetes or heart disease. Specifically, the procedure did not lower blood pressure or improve their response to insulin. A perfectly flat stomach may not be within your reach, but a healthier body certainly is.

The race to good health is a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time and get it right. Have a happy journey, and remember that health is wealth.

This post was written by bestposturebrace.com

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