Learn the facts on belly fat, fatty liver disease, and how to have a healthy liver
Belly fat is always a hot topic. Many of you have been contacting me about belly fat and how to naturally lose belly fat. To give you the latest from me on how to have a flat belly, I have a new mailing list called Flat Tummy Movement – be sure to sign up to get my flat belly tips.
The important thing to understand about belly fat is it can be connected to underlying problems such as a build-up of visceral fat around your liver and other organs. Losing belly fat is about more than looking good in a new pair of jeans – it’s about having a healthy liver and feeling great inside and out.
Because so many of you have questions about belly fat and how to reverse a fatty liver, I put together this belly fat FAQ. If you don’t see the answer to your belly fat question, please post it on the JJ Smith 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse Facebook Community page and I’ll make sure to answer.
What is Belly Fat?
Belly fat is the extra fat stored around your waistline. Everyone has belly fat, even people with six-pack abs. We all need belly fat, it protects and cushions our organs. However, a build-up of belly fat can have serious health impacts.
There are two types of belly fat:
- Subcutaneous Fat: this fat is visible just below your skin. This is the fat most people are concerned about when they talk about belly fat.
- Visceral Fat: the hidden fat that is located deep inside your abdomen, wrapping around your vital organs, including your liver. This is the dangerous fat that can result in fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and colon and breast cancer.
Fat is active in your body, and is busy making “lots of nasty substances,” says Kirsten Hairston, MD, assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism at Wake Forest School of Medicine. An accumulation of visceral fat around your organs happens when the regular fat store areas in the body are full.
Along with the serious health complications of visceral fat accumulation, it makes it very hard for you to lose belly fat, preventing you from maintaining a healthy slim, and sexy waistline.
Even skinny people with a low body fat level can have a buildup of visceral fat around their organs. And this is why you need to focus on whole-body health and understand the role a healthy liver plays in your ability to lose weight and maintain a flat belly.
Why is Belly Fat Called the Silent Killer?
Belly fat is called the silent killer because so many people do not realize the health impacts of a wide waistline and the implications for liver and organ health.
When the liver becomes overloaded, it can no longer effectively metabolize carbohydrates and fats or remove dangerous toxins from your blood. This results in an accumulation of visceral fat, struggles to lose weight, and the residual problems of an unhealthy liver.
We know belly fat and visceral fat are connected to health conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, high cholesterol levels, some cancers, and dementia. All conditions that often remain undiagnosed until it’s too late to fully recover from them.
However, the good news is, a natural fatty liver cleanse combined with a change in lifestyle habits can help you heal your liver and get on the path to wellness and good health. It’s never too late to make changes that improve your whole-body health.
What is Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease is another name for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The American Liver Foundation explains NAFLD as: the buildup of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. However, if more than 5% – 10% of the liver’s weight is fat, then it is called a fatty liver (steatosis). The more severe form of NAFLD is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH causes the liver to swell and become damaged.
Fatty liver disease typically occurs in people who are overweight, especially if they have a lot of visible belly fat. Additionally, people who appear healthy with a slightly thicker waistline and who consume lots of sugary and fatty foods are at high risk of fatty liver disease.
What are the Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease?
The symptoms of fatty liver disease include:
- Tired and weakness
- Very minor pain or a sense of fullness in the right/middle of the abdomen
- Increased liver enzymes (AST and ALT)
- Elevated insulin levels
- High triglyceride levels
The challenging aspect of these symptoms is many people do not realize they have them. This underscores how important it is to be vigilant about your liver health and overall wellness.
The good news is, you can reverse fatty liver disease with lifestyle and dietary changes, including incorporating healthy liver cleanse tips into your day-to-day.
Is There A Connection Between Belly Fat And Liver Health?
Yes, having a healthy liver is critical in helping you lose weight, lowering your amount of belly fat and visceral fat, and in maintaining a flat belly.
Having a wider waistline, more belly fat, and an apple shaped body is a strong indicator of high levels of visceral fat. One of the easiest ways to determine if you have a buildup of visceral fat is to get out your tape measure. Stand up straight and wrap the tape measure around your waist at belly button level. To be healthy, women should have a waist measurement of less than 35 inches and men should have a waist size of less than 40 inches.
When your liver is healthy, you feel more energetic, you can easily maintain a healthy weight, your belly stays flat, your digestion is smooth, and you look and feel better.
It’s important you understand that liver health is not always obvious from the outside. Even if you have a slim waist, you can still have too much visceral fat around your liver and other organs. This underscores why your liver health is part of a whole-body approach to health. The healthier your liver, the easier it is to lose weight, keep fat off, and reduce belly fat.
What Role Does The Liver Have In Weight Loss And Losing Belly Fat?
The liver has four primary functions, all of which are key to your ability to lose weight, build muscle, and stay healthy:
- Metabolizing carbohydrates and fat to accelerate fat burning.
- Creating and storing energy, creating protein so you can build and maintain muscle, and ensuring medications are absorbed properly.
- Cleansing your blood by breaking down the foods and beverages you eat into absorbable nutrients.
- Removing and neutralizing dangerous substances from your blood.
Your liver is your fat burning organ. The healthier your liver, the easier it is for you to lose belly fat and stay slim.
Will A Liver Cleanse Help Me Lose Belly Fat?
A natural and gentle liver cleanse can help you lose belly fat, reverse fatty liver disease, and help your liver recover. When you follow a liver cleanse that is based around the principles of a balanced and healthy lifestyle, it is easier to maintain these habits for lifelong health.
When researching liver cleanses, it’s very important to avoid cleanses that promise overnight results or require you to follow a regimented juice fast. Look for a liver cleanse built around these healthy habits I know work:
- Stay hydrated, aim to drink a gallon of lukewarm water through-out the day.
- Eat a balanced diet that includes lots of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy protein sources.
- Exercise daily to stimulate your digestive system and to sweat out toxins.
- Take a natural liver supplement like Liver Focus to support your liver health.
- Cut back on alcohol and sugar so your liver has a chance to heal and is no longer overloaded with toxins.
- Live an active life but remember to get adequate sleep and rest. It’s when you’re sleeping that your body goes to work healing and restoring organs and vital body systems.
I want to congratulate you for being so invested in your health and wellness. The first step towards a healthy liver and losing belly fat is knowledge.
I hope this belly fat FAQ answers your questions about how to reverse fatty liver disease, the importance of a natural and gentle liver cleanse, and how you can support your liver health.
Remember to post your questions on the JJ Smith 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse Facebook Community page. And remember to subscribe to my Flat Tummy Movement mailing list where I share the latest tips on how to get and keep a flat belly and slim sexy waistline
