Visceral Fat: What Is It, Causes, How To Get Rid Of It

Visceral fat happens to you when you lead a sedentary life. You then risk building up large amounts of it in your body. And, the more of this fat you carry around the higher your chances of developing insulin resistance.  This can eventually lead to type two diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic syndromes.

Studies show that exercise can significantly reduce the amount of visceral fat you carry around. The more exercise you do, the more of this dangerous fat you will lose. Researchers say that extra exercise can reverse the amount you have. Even moderate exercise can stop it from mounting up.

If, on the other hand, you choose to remain inactive, more likely than not you will pile on the weight at a rate of four pounds per year.

 

 

 

 

Visceral Fat: Study Format

A recent study tested 175 men and women. All were all overweight and led sedentary lives. They ere divided into four groups and carried out different levels of activity/inactivity.

The groups were:

No exercise at all.
Low dose moderate intensity activity (walking 12 miles per week
Low dose vigorous intensity activity (12 miles jogging per week)
High dose vigorous intensity activity (20 miles jogging each week)

 

All 175 people were told not to alter their diets. The aim of the study was to see what impact exercise alone might have.

The whole trial lasted six months for the couch potatoes (inactive ones) and eight months for the other three groups (the active group were given a two-month start to get them fit enough to do the trial).

Computed Tomography (CT) was used at the beginning and end of the trial to determine the extent and distribution of fat change.

 

Visceral Fat: Study Results

There was no significant differences in visceral fat levels in the low exercise groups. It appears that mild exercise helps stop the increase, but it does not reduce fat levels.

The inactive group showed increases in visceral fat levels.

Most importantly, the more exercise and  the higher their intensity, the faster was the loss of excess fat. In addition, jogging 17 to 20 miles a week was comfortably attainable by the lean participants.

Most impressive, the most active group saw visceral fat levels drop by 6.9% in six months and subcutaneous fat levels dropped by 7%.

 

Conclusion

People, get out and exercise! Your health depends on it!