Fat Is Good for Health, in the Right Place
By Tom Herrin
Some adhere to the saying to the effect that everything has its place, and there is a place for everything. This may go well with keeping our houses in order, but can it apply to something else? It actually can. Most of us are aware of issues involving fat. We know we should keep it off of us when possible. We may either keep a constant watch on ourselves by looking in the mirror, or we may use some other means of keeping tabs. Checking our clothes to see if they seem appropriate, and not too tight, is another way to assess our levels of perceived fat. We may be able to feel a little better about ourselves if we realize that some fat is necessary for our bodies to be healthy.
Fat and Our Diet
There is always some concern about fat in our diets. There is good evidence that a diet that is low in fat may keep us healthy and lengthen the telomeres that have to do with chromosomes. This can mean living longer. On the other hand, there are some diets that work on the notion that higher fat and lower carbs may be a good combination for losing weight. The idea is basically to force the body to burn the fat in place of the carbs.
Fat and the Brain
Some parts of the body need fat to do their jobs more effectively. To be healthy and function properly, the brain must contain some fat. Other parts of the body that need to have fat are the nerves, bone marrow, and areas around the internal organs. In the latter case, the fat may be needed in order to protect the organs by acting as a cushion.
Some Fat Can Be Really Bad
For the most part, many of us know fat as a bad thing. In the case of most white fat, this is true. Particularly the white fat that accumulates around the middle is generally bad. We see this and refer to it as belly fat. It is pretty obvious, and in the last few years, it has received lots of attention. It is now believed that this fat is especially dangerous. Its presence seems to indicate a lot more trouble. It may be the cause of, or contributor to, strokes, heart disease, some types of diabetes, and some cancers. If we begin to notice this type of fat, it is time for us to action.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cedar Park, Tex.