Body Fat is More Than Just a Number on the Scale

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has revealed a powerful truth: not all fat is created equal, and where your body stores it has a significant impact on how quickly your heart ages.

There are two main kinds of body fat:

• Subcutaneous Fat. This is the fat that lies underneath the skin and can be pinched with fingers. For the most part, subcutaneous fat healthily stores energy. It also serves as insulation for the body and protects muscles and bones from injury. This type of fat can be found all over the body but tends to accumulate more in certain areas like the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms based on genetics and hormonal factors.

• Visceral Fat. This form of fat can accumulate deeper in the abdomen and surrounds vital organs like the stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines. Also known as "deep fat," visceral fat tends to be more unhealthy. This type of fat is often referred to as “active” because it releases fatty acids into the bloodstream that can affect insulin sensitivity and lead to metabolic disorders. If you have excess body fat, it’s more likely your body will store it as visceral fat.

Research indicates that men and women store fat differently due to hormonal influences. Men are more likely to accumulate visceral fat around their abdomen. Women tend to store more subcutaneous fat around their hips and thighs.

Key takeaways from the study:

• Visceral fat, the hidden fat that surrounds your organs, is a major accelerator of cardiovascular aging in both men and women. Excessive accumulation of visceral fat is linked with higher rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes due to its inflammatory properties that can lead to insulin resistance. This is a critical point - even people who appear to be healthy can have dangerous levels of this fat.

• Visceral fat is more harmful than subcutaneous fat, which is located directly under the skin. While subcutaneous fat is considered less harmful, it is still linked with some chronic and metabolic diseases. Excess amounts of subcutaneous fat can lead to increased inflammation markers and pose risks related to overall health outcomes if not managed properly through diet and exercise interventions.

• Location matters. For men, fat around the abdomen is particularly harmful to heart health. For women, the fat stored on the hips and thighs (gynoid fat) appears to have a protective effect, slowing down the aging of the heart.

This study is another reminder to take control of your health. It emphasizes that a healthy lifestyle is not just about weight, but about strategic choices that target harmful fat and support healthier aging.

Regular physical activity and a wholesome diet are essential for maintaining healthy weight distribution within your body. Engaging both aerobic exercises and resistance training boost metabolism while toning muscles, effectively reducing both subcutaneous and visceral fats over time.

As a Health Optimization Strategist, this is exactly what I help people with. My mission is to guide you in reducing the harmful effects of visceral fat and excess body fat in general, so you can feel your best and promote true healthspan.