01/18/2022
Inflammation and Fat Loss
In the past I wrote about stubborn belly fat and how hormone imbalances were the root cause. I also alluded to the inflammation perpetuated by fat cells and how this leads to insulin resistance. In this follow-up piece I delve a little further into fat and inflammation and why this is a critical piece of the weight loss puzzle, as well as how you can address inflammation to lose fat and feel better.
First of all, inflammation is a term which describes the reaction of the body to what it perceives to be a foreign invader. It is triggered and controlled by our immune cells which include white blood cells, macrophages and other special blood cells (eg. mast cells which release histamine). Other tissues of the body can participate in the processes of inflammation to damp it or heighten it, as needed, to control the “threat” the body perceives. These tissues include blood vessels, and interestingly fat cells. These cells and tissues send molecular signals to each other to orchestrate the right amount of inflammation needed to protect the body from any given harm. The awareness of fat as an active tissue in modulating inflammation is a fairly new medical discovery and is changing the way we understand obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It may be that uncontrolled and/or inappropriate amounts of inflammation, perpetuated by excess body fat may be the real underpinning of these interrelated diseases.
Fat cells talk to each other and to other cells in the body (blood cells, vessels, the liver, muscles) through chemicals called cytokines. Fat cells in our abdominal area are particularly “talkative” and when they become too numerous, they become disruptive. The result of this chatter is that the body becomes resistant to insulin (so the body secretes more of it), and the fat cells themselves become “stiffer” and less responsive to fat-burning (fat oxidation is impaired). Inflammation also drains a person of energy, making them feel weak and tired (think of how you feel when you have allergies or a cold). So ultimately, if you are inflamed, you likely have little motivation to work out, and the exercise you are doing isn’t really burning as much fat as it might be if inflammation where in check.
So what is the solution? First of all, reduce inflammation through better food choices. It is well known that processed and refined foods are inflammatory triggers. They contain chemicals, industrial oils, preservatives and sugar, all of which are potent triggers of inflammation. In addition, they suffocate the good bacteria in your gut that keep you healthy. The more whole foods you can eat, the lower your inflammation and more you nurture healthy gut bacteria. Fresh local fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds, legumes and beans (organic if possible) are replete with nutrients and fiber and should be the mainstay of a whole food diet. Round it out with grass fed, (organic) beef, pork, poultry, eggs, fish and seafood and some whole grain carbohydrates (quinoa, oats, wild or brown rice, farro, buckwheat) and you’re on your way to optimal nutrition.
Once body fat is less inflamed, it can be “rendered”, in a sense. It becomes more receptive to being oxidized or “burned”. This is where a routine of exercise comes into the equation. Adding a routine of daily activity to a healthy whole food diet is essential to help use the fat. Keeping overall energy balance in check is what fat loss really amounts to. But this is easy once the fundamentals of eating well and moving often are engrained. Most people have a solid appreciation of this, but find it difficult to establish routines. If this is the case, I can help. I offer premium weight loss programs and nutritional coaching as well as Lipo Laser treatments to rid of inflammation and riding of that nasty fat.
Just call 708-574-4018 or visit Worthlipolaser.com
