Can the Location of Your Body Fat Predict Disease?
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The word “fat” has extensive usage. In many cases, it is used to describe all the fat in your body, whereas there are different types of fat in the human body.
The truth is, some fats harm human health and can cause disease. But, conversely, other kinds of fat are beneficial, and in fact, necessary for good health.
The primary types of fat cells are white, beige, and brown cells. These fat cells can store essential, visceral, and subcutaneous fat.
Each type of fat in your body plays a different role. While some can promote healthy hormone levels and metabolism, others trigger life-threatening ailments such as:
· Cancer
· Type 2 diabetes
· High blood pressure
· Heart disease
In this article, we will learn about the different types of fat in the human body and how the location of fat can predict disease.
White fat
White fat is what readily comes into people’s minds when the word “fat” is mentioned.
White fat is composed of large, white cells that lie under the skin or surround the organs in the arms, belly, thighs, and buttocks. The human body stores energy for later use in white fat cells.
White fat also plays an essential role in hormone function, including:
· Insulin
· Leptin
· Estrogen
· Growth hormone
· Cortisol (stress hormone)
While some white fat may be necessary for good health, excess of it spells danger. A healthy percentage of body fat ranges depending on your physical activity or fitness level.
A study by the American Council on Exercise suggests that non-athletic men should have a total body fat percentage ranging from 14% to 24%, while non-athletic women should have body fat in the range of 21% to 31%.
If your body fat is higher than that recommended, then you may have an increased risk of health issues such as:
· Liver disease
· stroke
