Everyone knows that being overweight can increase our risk of serious health problems. However, most people don’t realize that not all fat distribution is equal. Accumulating fat under our arms and thighs, for instance, is more of a cosmetic concern than a cause for significant medical alarm. Yes, we are better off without it and should endeavor to remove it, but fat in these areas is more likely to make us feel bloated rather than send us to the emergency room in the immediate future.
In reality, the most serious problems associated with being overweight, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, are overwhelmingly caused by a build-up of abdominal fat. Abdominal fat, which is also called belly fat or visceral fat, is the fat that lodges itself against our major organs and compromises their ability to function properly — a state of affairs which, if left unchecked, can lead to an early death. Fortunately, the following lifestyle changes are known to help remove abdominal fat in a natural manner.
1. Reduce carbohydrate intake
Studies have shown that cutting carbs is an extremely effective way to lose abdominal fat. For example, a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who restricted their carbohydrate intake over a 2-week period experienced significantly decreased liver triglycerides when compared to the control group. Another study, published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism, discovered that there was a “clear benefit of a [very low carbohydrate ketogenic] over [low fat] diet for short-term body weight and fat loss, especially in men.” Significantly, the low carb diet demonstrated a “preferential loss of fat in the trunk region.”
Though there are numerous reasons why a reduction in carbs contribute to fat loss, perhaps the biggest one is that most carbs (especially whole grains) have an extremely high glycemic load. According to cardiologist Dr. William Davis, modern wheat is especially notorious in this regard, and eating too much of it can result in significant abdominal fat accumulation — the dreaded “wheat belly.”
