Fat May or May Not Be a Bad Thing
By Tom Herrin
Who wants fat? Most people want no part of it. We see any sign of it on ourselves, and we cringe. The thought of fat tends to make us feel unfit. We may even feel less desirable. It can be a problem, but it isn't necessarily always bad. It may be harmful to us, but it may also be something that we need to make our bodies function the way they should. There are different kinds of fat, and they serve different purposes. There are white fats, brown fats, beige fat, and possibly a few more.
Bad Fat Is Recognizable
Most of us know when we see fat that is bad for us. The most prominent place on our bodies is likely belly fat. We have come to recognize it as a sure sign of poor health. Belly fat, which is visceral fat, is the type that can wreak havoc on health. It is now considered a measure of a potentially serious problem. This fat may contribute to strokes. It may also be a potential cause of heart disease, arterial disease, some types of diabetes, and some cancers.
Some Fat Is Needed
We need fat in order for some of our body parts to work best. Our brains must have fat to function properly. Fat is also required to be around our nerves and bone marrow. Our organs need fat to serve as a sort of cushion to help protect them. Some kinds of fat can help to regulate body temperature, store vitamins, and balance hormones. Fat can be useful for balancing blood sugar.
We May Be Able to Measure Body Fat
At one time, we based our ideas of how much body fat we had by simple appearance. Today it is a little easier than that. Better technology has enabled us to have a little more precise way to determine the amount of body fat we have. The simplest thing to use is some kind of BMI scale. This is based on age, height, weight, and frame size. It gives us a score. If we fall into a certain range, it is considered to be normal. If our numbered score is higher, we may be considered either overweight or obese. Some more sophisticated methods are available for use in a few facilities that feature special programs.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Myers, Fla.