Does Fat Really Worry You?
By Tom Herrin
As we get older, many of us become much more concerned about things such as fat. It is for good reason because the older we get, the more difficult it is to manage. As a result, we may find ourselves peering into any reflective surface trying to catch a glimpse of just how good, or bad, we look. If our clothes don't fit in a flattering manner, we may feel that we are too fat or maybe even too thin. For sure, the way we wear our body fat has a lot to do with the way we look. This fat under the skin, or subcutaneous fat, is what provides much of our shape. These may be curves or bulges. It is also the smoothness we may desire. Fat can, however, do all sorts of things.
Some Fat May Be Risky
The most serious of the kinds of fats we can see is probably belly fat. It has been learned that this fat indicates some potentially serious health conditions. It may be linked to strokes. It may be linked to heart disease or arterial disease. It may also be associated with some cancers. In some cases, it may be associated with high blood pressure, organ problems, and some kinds of diabetes. It is nothing to take lightly. If we find ourselves with excessive belly fat, we need to take a progressive approach to trying to minimize it.
Some Fat Is Good
There are parts of our bodies that need a certain amount of fat to keep them functioning well. Some of these parts include the brain, nerves, and bone marrow. Fat is also useful in storing vitamins, regulating temperature, as well as balancing hormones and blood sugar. It helps us to understand a little more about it.
It May Help to Measure Body Fat
At one time, the best way to measure body fat was visually. We went by what we could see with our eyes. Today we are actually able to obtain some pretty accurate measurements of body fat. If you go to a facility with high tech equipment, you are able to get some precision measurements. If not, there are plenty of scales available that use a lot of general info to some up with a number that has some meaning. These BMI scales normally use age, height, weight, and frame size to help determine a score that is reasonably accurate.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Red Oak, Tex.