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Research Has Linked a Fat Stomach to Heart Attacks
A fat stomach is not just a question of esthetics; unfortunally a fat stomach has far-reaching effects in our health and can lead to a heart attack. In fact, research has linked a fat stomach to diabetes type 2, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, low HDL, the good cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and overweight, all risk factors for a heart attacks. A sad state of affairs, indeed.
Due to changes in the diet, as well as in the lack of physical activity, obesity has become an epidemic in the twenty-first century affecting a disproportional number of individuals. Actually, it is considered one of the major health problems in modern societies. The worst part is that it will continue to go up unless we take adequate steps to stop and prevent it. Diets with more calories, more fats, and more refined carbohydrates are contributing to this predicament.
Due to changes in the diet, as well as in the lack of physical activity, obesity has become an epidemic in the twenty-first century affecting a disproportional number of individuals. Actually, it is considered one of the major health problems in modern societies. The worst part is that it will continue to go up unless we take adequate steps to stop and prevent it. Diets with more calories, more fats, and more refined carbohydrates are contributing to this predicament.
Why I Wrote This Article
Dear visitor,The purpose of this article is to tell you that the two main recommendations I make in this article have worked for me.
Although I was never overweight, during those times in my past in which I went for a few days without walking and eating too much saturated fat, I saw the fat in my stomach growing in size.
So, I don't do that any more. I walk almost every day for an hour and I am careful with my diet. Because it pays off, I intend to keep these two practices for the rest of my life. I hope you do it too.
Please, don't forget to share your comments at the end of this article about the information you found here.
"See" you soon.
Emilia Klapp, BS, RD.
Does Location of the Fat Make a Difference?
The risk for heart disease depends in part on where the fat is located. The fat we have around our waist is the most dangerous because it has a higher impact in our blood vessels and the different organs. On the other hand, the fat around the hips or other parts of our body does not increase the risk for heart disease.A fat stomach is the one that produces most metabolic alterations. The tissue of our belly fat is not just sitting there, doing nothing; it is very active and constanly secretes hormones such as leptine, adiponeptine, and resistine that contribute to lower the insulin's ability to introduce the glucose inside the cells, a condition known as insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is a first step in the development of diabetes type 2. Furthermore, these fat hormones also produce inflammation in the walls of the arteries which promotes atherosclerosis, the clogging of the blood vessels.
Measure Your Fat Stomach
You can easily determine the presence of excess fat in your stomach by measuring your waist. To do it, run a tape measure around your midsection at about the level of your navel. A measure over 40 inches in men and 34 inches in women is considered an unhealthy concentration of abdominal fat.Patients with a higher than normal fat stomach usually present other risk factors for heart disease such as high blood glucose, high triglycerides, hypertension and low HDL cholesterol, the good one. Three or more of these alterations is known as the metabolic syndrome and it is considered a high risk for a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, etc.
How to Lower Your Fat Stomach and Prevent a Heart Attack
The first step to take in the prevention and treatment of a fat stomach is to maintain a normal body weight by following an adequate diet and being physically active. Losing a moderate amount of weight, about 10 percent of the body weight or 10 to 20 lbs allows a decrease of your risk factors.Physical activity has to be adequate for each individual. Health authorities recommend walking at least 2 miles a day or performing 30 minutes of any moderate activity. 3 to 4 miles a day, about 10,000 steps, is even better. A pedometer can help you check this activity.
The diet should be one that allows for weight reduction which means reducing the calories you are ingesting at present. A Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish and legumes is ideal to lose weight and to reduce the metabolic syndrome.
In addition, a diet based on a low glycemic index such as the Mediterranean diet does not elevate the glucose level too much, while it can help you lose weight and lower high blood pressure.
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Walking briskly at least 5 days a week is a major step towards health
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Final Thoughts on a Fat Stomach
Since the fat in your stomach is buried deep in your abdomen, you may consider a difficult task getting rid of it and as a result you may think you are doomed for a heart attack. Not true; belly fat responds well to a healthy diet and to a regular exercise routine, especially walking.So, now is the right time to start those walks around your neighborhood. Don't take the car to go to the post office, the cleaners, or the supermarket. Just walk. You will see in a few weeks your belly fat going down.
Scientific studies have associated the Mediterranean diet with a healthy heart. To learn the ins-and-outs of the Authentic Mediterranean Diet and the Mediterranean Cuisine, check out my book; It would help you apply these Mediterranean principles into your life to get rid of your fat stomach and avoid a heart attack.
Have a great day while taking care of your heart; after all, it is the one that keeps you going!
Emilia Klapp, BS, RD
Product Section
Live longer by following a healthy Mediterranean lifestyle
Experience has shown that Mediterraneans have kept a healthy heart for centuries, they have lived longer lives than people in some other countries and they are thinner. Many scientific studies have also corraborated these findings by studing their lifestyle. Now is within your reach to learn how Mediterraneans do it.
Here's my favorite link:
Great Links on How to Lose a Fat Stomach
- About Emilia Klapp
- Emilia Klapp has a bachelor in Nutrition Science. She is certified as a Registered Dietitian by the American Dietetic Association and the author of the book Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet.
For more information on an Authentic Mediterranean Diet and to get a FREE list of the Top 10 Mediterranean Curative Foods, click the link above.
Suggested Reading
Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet
Learn How Mediterraneans Have Kept a Healthy Heart for Centuries
Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet: Learn How Mediterraneans Have Kept a Healthy Heart for Centuries
Amazon Price: $18.95 (as of 12/18/2009) 
MediterraneanHeart's Weblog
A step by step guide on how the Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle helps you prevent and control chronic disease, including heart disease.
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- emilia921 emilia921 Apr 28, 2009 @ 1:26 am
- Hello kaazoom,
I get my illustrations from Clipart.com. It costs about $160.00/year and you have access to a great variety of illustrations.
Regarding your fat belly, walk as much as possible and avoid saturated fat and trans fats. These two fat have been shown to increase the fat around the stomach.
Have a great week.
Emilia Klapp, BS, RD.
www.MediterraneanDietfortheHeart.com
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Reply
- kaazoom kaazoom Apr 27, 2009 @ 10:42 am
- Nice lens. I love the illustrations. I think I might come into the category of having a fat belly! My limited mobility doesn't help, but I do execise as much s possible.
by emilia921
My name is Emilia Klapp. I was born and raised in Spain and I currently share my time between Los Angeles, California and Madrid, Spain, where I am at... (more)
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