Take a Healthy Look at Fat
By Tom Herrin
Most of the time, when we think of fat, we think of something that is bad for us and that we need to be able to control. It can be a problem for many people. The tendency to put on unwanted fat is extremely difficult to deal with. We often look at ourselves and see that fat despite doing everything we think is possible to prevent it. We sometimes label fat as being associated with those who have no drive or desire to take care of themselves. When we break it down, we may find that fat is much more than simple cosmetics. Body fat even comes in a few different types. Some of these are good, and some are really bad.
The Colors of Fat
Many of us probably don't have any idea that fat has different colors and that they serve different purposes. The fat we are most familiar with is white fat. This is most of what we see hidden under the skin. Some of it is actually healthy. It has some important jobs such as helping some hormones. The problem arises when we have too much white fat. That is bad news. Making an effort to manage this is critical to health. Some other colors of fat are brown and beige.
Visceral Fat
Some white fats may tend to accumulate in areas such as the belly. When this happens, it is a good indicator that health may be jeopardized. Too much of it may contribute to stroke, heart disease, and many other problems. Today it is the general belief that belly fat is a good indicator of potentially serious health conditions.
Good Fats
Some fats are needed to keep our bodies working as they should. The brain requires some fat for sure. If it is deprived of an adequate amount of fat, it could fail to function properly. Some our internal organs rely on fat to provide a cushion to avoid injury. Fat helps us to regulate our body temperature. It also may help to store vitamins. Even the subcutaneous fats under our skin work to help us have the look we may actually want. Even though we may not want to look fat, we do want to have a smooth appearance, and fat under our skin is what gives us much of that.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.