Whenever we think of body fat, the immediate thought is generally how to get rid of it. There are some rules to eliminating the fat, like eating right and exercising but this fat elimination does not consider what type of fat you are trying to remove. An important thing to know is that there are two kinds of fat. The two kinds are subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.
How does visceral fat differ from subcutaneous fat?
Even though both visceral and subcutaneous are kinds of fat, they differ on a cellular level. They are also found in different parts of the body. Visceral fat is found around the internal body organs like your liver. This means that you cannot see visceral fat from the outside but a hard beer belly, for instance, shows that you have an unhealthy amount of visceral fat. Even those people who look thin can have an unhealthy level of visceral fat on the inside. In order to check for visceral fat, you will need a doctor who uses a special bioimpedance scale. This device sends a low and painless current through your body to measure your body mass. It is calculated by comparing the rate of travel (of this current) to your height and other measurements.
The subcutaneous fat is far less complicated. This is the fat right under your skin and can be seen with the naked eye. It is soft and rubbery and can accumulate anywhere on your body. The easiest way to distinguish between these two kinds of fat is by pinching it. The subcutaneous fat is pinchable.
Which kind of fat is worse?
Both of these fats have their own challenges. Visceral fat is, however, considered to be more harmful since it can lead to metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. There is a part of the visceral fat cells, the endoplasmic reticulum, which releases inflammatory markers and this leads to metabolic concerns. So even though your visceral fat may not lead to back rolls and muffin tops, it could lead to more serious health problems.
The subcutaneous fat is visible but it does not have a similarly dangerous cellular makeup. A healthy amount of this fat is even required to stay warm. Small amounts of the subcutaneous fat also protect the body from an injury. When you consume more calories than what your body requires, the excessive fat is stored in the fat cells to be used later. This acts as the body’s fuel reserve and is used when you run low on caloric energy. This means that a healthy amount of subcutaneous fat is actually healthy for your body.
How can you eliminate both visceral and subcutaneous fat?
If you have an unhealthy amount of visceral fat, you must change your eating habits to get rid of it. In addition to exercise, only diet and avoiding certain kinds of foods can change the amount of visceral fat in your body.
When you are dealing with subcutaneous fat, there are many more options available to you. Regular exercising and dieting can help reduce the overall fat content. However, there are always certain areas of stubborn fat deposits that do not respond well to diet and exercise. In such cases, you can turn to body sculpting procedures such as CoolSculpting.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a noninvasive fat freezing treatment that reduces stubborn fat from certain body areas like the abdomen, thighs, flank, upper arms, back, and buttocks. The procedure freezes the fat cells in the treated area. During your procedure, an applicator is used to suction the skin and then a targeted blast of cold is delivered to it.
Who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting?
You must understand that this is not a weight loss option but a targeted fat cell reduction treatment for those who are near their ideal weights and are only struggling with a few areas of stubborn fat. You must have an active lifestyle and want to eliminate fat that is resistant to healthy eating and exercise.
CoolSculpting does not reduce visceral fat either. If you are struggling with both visceral and subcutaneous fat, you must first lose weight using diet, exercise, medication or surgery. Once you have lost most of the fat, CoolSculpting can then help rid you of the subcutaneous pockets of fat and offer you slimmer contours.