Not all fats are bad. A certain amount of body fat is vital for your body as it can keep you warm in cold conditions and protects your inner organs like a built-in cushion. How well do you know about body fat? We are now going to walk you through the four main types of body fat, and you will know what to keep and what to keep…
#1 Brown fat
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) or brown fat is considered a healthy kind of fat, and newborns have a higher proportion of brown fat than adults. Brown fat helps to keep your body temperature when exposed to cold environments. It acts as a muscle and is stimulated to burn calories for fuel to keep warm, literally turning food into body heat. This fat-burning fat mainly can be found around the lower neck and area above the collarbones. How to increase this healthy good fat? Eat healthy, exercise and take the right supplements!
#2 White fat
How is white fat different from brown fat? This type of fat is literally in white appearance and is much more plentiful than brown. When we consume too many calories, the body converts them into an energy reserve in the form of white fat. The job of white fat is to act as a thermal insulator, a cushion for our organs against shock. What’s more, it produces hormones to regulate appetite and hunger. Just check yourself in the mirror. You’ll see excess fat tends to accumulate around on the back of arms, thighs and bums.
#3 Subcutaneous fat
Subcutaneous fat is literally “the inch you can pinch” as it lies right underneath our skin. Everybody is born with this type of fat, which can be found primarily in the hips, thighs, arms and belly. The amount of subcutaneous fat developed highly depends on a few factors, like genetics and physical activity and diet. If your body is storing too much of it, you may have a higher risk of developing health problems, including high blood pressure, heart diseases and stroke.
#4 Visceral fat
It is known as a “deep” fat that wraps around the inner organs like the liver, pancreas, heart and intestines. Excess visceral fat storage is so harmful that can cause serious health problems, such as diabetes, coronary heart diseases, stroke and even dementia. How do you know if you have it? If you have a big belly, it is a clear sign that you are storing this dangerous form of fat. But the good news is you can reduce this life-threatening fat with a well-balanced diet high in whole grain, fruits, veggies and lean meat, while regular high-intensity exercise also helps.
