How Your Belly Fat Could Signal a Serious Health Issue

The Average American is gaining weight as we speak.

In fact, as we age, we naturally gain weight. Between the ages of 20-50 the average American will gain about 1-2 pounds of weight per year. That's an extra 30-60 pounds by the age of 50!   Plus most of us just aren't burning as much energy as we are consuming.

For many, the stomach is the only place in the body that they store fat, so they walk around with this gigantic pot belly, but normal size thighs and arms.

This large belly might seem to be just a weight problem, but it actually indicates a much more serious issue.  Most of us know about fat under the skin, but in reality our bodies store fat in several ways. The three main kinds are:

• Subcutaneous fat: The familiar layer beneath the skin.
• Visceral fat: Fat stored around internal organs in the abdomen.
• Ectopic fat: Fat stored inside organs, like the liver, heart, or muscles.

Health Implications of the 3 Types of Body Fat

Each type of fat comes with unique health consequences.

• Subcutaneous fat poses mostly aesthetic concerns but excessive amounts, mainly around the waist, can burden metabolic health.
• Visceral fat is more metabolically active, producing inflammatory molecules and hormones that increase disease risk dramatically.
• Ectopic fat is the most harmful, damaging organ function and interfering with insulin and cholesterol metabolism.

Visceral Fat: The Hidden Threat Lurking Around Organs

Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat lies deep inside the abdomen, wrapping around vital organs including your liver, stomach, and intestines. You won’t see it in the mirror, but this fat is a major health concern.

Why Do We Have Visceral Fat?

• Energy buffer: It supplies energy during starvation.
• Hormone production: Releases molecules that regulate appetite and inflammation.

While small amounts are necessary, too much visceral fat could:

• Raise blood pressure
• Disrupt normal hormone messaging
• Drive up bad cholesterol
• Increase risks for type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease

Ectopic fat places our vital organs at risk. Ectopic fat describes fat deposits in places outside normal fat stores—essentially, fat inside organs or tissues that aren’t designed to store it. Common sites include:

• Liver (fatty liver disease)
• Muscle (intramuscular fat)
• Heart (cardiac fat)
• Pancreas

Ectopic fat is particularly harmful. It disrupts normal organ function, promotes inflammation, and significantly raises the risk of metabolic diseases. 

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance are classic examples.

1) Avoid Vegetable Oil & Seed Oils: 

These Oils are incredibly fattening and it's not the good type of fat. The amount of seed oils added to processed foods has risen drastically over the last few decades. Seed oils are in almost all processed foods. they these oils are highly refined. Much more than sugar, seed oils contribute to the creation of Visceral fat. These fats clog up our arteries and slows metabolism. Avoid canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil etc..

Opt for healthier fats like avocados and EVOO Olive Oils. For an amazing Olive Oil click here

2) Eliminate Processed Foods

Processed foods are full of hidden chemicals and MSG (most of which are not listed in the ingredients). These chemicals are purposely added to Processed foods to promote food addictions, so that we end up eating more of these foods. The FDA allows over 10,000 chemicals to be added to food in the United States. These chemicals are used to add color, stabilize flavors, and extend shelf life. 

If you have intense cravings to specific junk foods, this is probably the reason. These foods promote weight gain and disease.

If it comes in a box, and doesn't rot: it contains preservatives to keep it shelf stable, avoid. Keep in mind that 90% of the foods on supermarket shelves are toxic.

Avoiding these foods is key to weight loss

3) De-stress- 

High levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) causes visceral fat storage. Practicing relaxation techniques is key, walking, dancing, sports, whatever helps you to relax will actually help you lose weight.

Also be sure to get enough sleep. Adequate Sleep helps lower cortisol levels.

4) Exercise-

Walking is highly effective at reducing belly fat and is possibly more effective than high intensity interval training because it reduces cortisol and adrenalin

high intensity Interval training is also effective as well as resistance training. I find that sit ups and side crunches are really good at targeting belly fat.

5) Avoid or lower Antidepressants Usage-

These medications contribute to visceral fat accumulation. Holistic mental health practitioners can help find natural alternatives to antidepressants

6) Avoid refined Grains- opt for Real Bread

we need to eat whole grain foods with the right balance of fiber and nutrients. Proper bread was a staple food for thousands of years. Proper bread without any white or refined flour will not raise blood sugar levels.

ANCIENT GRAIN SOURDOUGH BREAD- The best source of carbohydrates is actually real wholegrain bread. Most store bought breads including sourdough breads and "wholewheat" flours have 20-50% of the healthy bran and wheat germ removed to promote store shelf stability and to increase the rise (white flour rises, true wholewheat flour doesn't).

At Joseph's Organic Bakery our Bread is truly 100% wholegrain, no refined flour added, keeping blood sugar levels stables.
The fermentation process ensures high probiotic levels. Each bread provides the HIGHEST NUTRIENT TO CALORIE RATIO Possible. We focus on making every bite count. Check out our  Einkorn Bread .

7)   Avoid animal protein- 

(if you must eat meat and chicken, be sure to cook in water, avoid frying and grilling) however, its best to avoid. Saturated fats from Meat and fish can feed inflammation and cause visceral fat storage, especially as we age. Animal proteins clog up our arteries (narrowing artery walls) and clog up the colon due to their lack of fiber.

Avoid fish at all costs. If you must eat protein opt for organic eggs.

8) No soy, rice, corn, no guar gum, no xantham gums, no cellulose, no trans fats, no processed foods.

9)) Consume Lots of fresh fruits and Vegetables.

Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the key pillars of an anti-aging diet.

A good way of gauging if you're eating enough: opt for 1 pound of fruit, and 1 pound of vegetables (combo of cooked and raw vegetables) per day.

For a wonderful diet program that could rewire your brain and retrain your taste buds check out our  Weight Loss Diet Plan

Weight Loss Diet Plan

Our Weight Loss Diet Plan is a pathway to weight loss. But the benefits don't end there, by adopting our healthy protocol the body will rejuvenate as a whole, experiencing renewed energy, improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and balanced insulin levels.

To accomplish this, we take a holistic approach by incorporating our ancient grain breads, various teas, herbs & superfoods to offset the years of abuse and toxic overload.

Choose one of our 3 Weight Loss Diet Plans that suits your needs and

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