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Do you often try to shed those extra pounds torturing yourself with only a celery stick for lunch? Are you health conscious but are not aware of the fact that the fat around the waistline is a major risk for heart disease?
The Big Bad Fat around the waist (central obesity) is known to increase the levels of powerful immune system factors called cytokines that lead to the formation of fatty plaques in the blood vessels (called arterial atherosclerosis). What better proof that big waistline and heart disease are related?
Until recently it was believed that weight itself (reflected in the body mass index)or over all obesity led to heart disease.
Now the research community has a growing amount of data showing that fat around the waist acts differently than fat on your thighs or on your bottom (hence the theory of apple vs. pear shape).
People who develop excess weight in their abdomen (abdominal or visceral obesity or "apple-shaped" body) have a greater risk to develop heart disease because the fat around the big waistline secretes powerful body chemicals that promote insulin resistance, which in turn raises insulin and triglycerides, and decreases HDL. (Low HDL is a predictor for heart disease especially in women).
The chemicals also increase sodium absorption and blood volume and cause arterial atherosclerosis to build up. The result is high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome
Is there anything you can do about it? Yes!
Get started with a tape measure
Read how your job can make your fat.
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