Know Your Fat and Boost Health
By Tom Herrin
A common problem that many of us have is that we judge ourselves without all of the facts. Some of us tend to judge others as well. When we are concerned with fat, we may view everything in terms of having too much, so if clothes don't fit well, we may blame it on fat. We all have some fat, but we need some of it and have little use for other kinds. As a society, we sometimes become so distracted by it that we develop the wrong impression about it. A little knowledge about it may go a long way.
Belly Fat Is Bad
By now, most of us are aware that one of the greatest signs of dangerous fat is belly fat. It is mostly a white fat that can indicate that we are living at risk of some serious health issues. This fat has been known to contribute to heart and arterial diseases, strokes, and some cancers, recognizing it and doing everything possible to control it may be critical to health. If we see this on our bodies, we may need to get involved in some major diet and exercise changes. Taking action early may help us to head off potential problems.
We All Need Some of the Good Fats
Most of us know what baby fat is. For them, it serves a purpose. It provides insulation to help keep them warm. This is mostly brown fat. As adults, many of us still have some of it. It may help us to regulate body temperature as well. Some fats help us by storing vitamins and helping to balance blood sugars and hormones. Some fats are also needed in the brain, nerves, bone marrow, and around organs. We even need some fats in order to have the smoothness that covers our muscles under our skin.
Measure Your Fat Ratios
There are several ways to determine how much fat we have on our bodies. Some simple ones use BMI scales. We simply collect information and plug it in. It is not perfect, but it can give us an idea of just where we may stand. Most of these scales use age, height, weight, and frame size to determine what this ratio is. It can be a useful guide if we take the information to direct our planning for our own overall health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tucson, Ariz.