Scientists have yet again been beavering away for our benefit!

They’ve been researching how belly fat is different to thigh fat. Interestingly they’ve discovered that genes dictate fat cell distribution ie fat cells are predetermined to where they are stored – thighs or belly.

Given the detrimental health effects (diabetes, heart attack, osteoporosis etc) its good to know that we may not be entirely responsible for having a fat tummy!

Of course we are responsible (excluding valid medical reasons) for being overweight, its the actual fat storage depots that we can’t dictate. Did you know that fat cells secrete hormones and proteins that control appetite and blood sugar levels? They aren’t just inert storage depots after all!

So what do scientists advise we do about it? Frustratingly they don’t know yet!! They hope future studies can evaluate treatment methods.

There is evidence that brown fat (active fat as opposed to white fat aka flabby fat) can be kick-started to burn more calories. This is by having more healthy gut bacteria – so eating less processed foods and more veg and legumes such as chick peas, lentils etc.

In the meantime I’m planning my run and pilates session tomorrow as I know that helps trim and tighten my tum-especially after a cheese heavy weekend (mmm I do love Brie as a treat).

What helps you reduce belly fat?

References:
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (2013, January 11). How belly fat differs from thigh fat, and why it matters. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 13, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130111092721.htm

American Chemical Society (2010, September 2). New evidence that fat cells are not just dormant storage depots for calories. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 13, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901121526.htm

American Chemical Society (2012, January 12). New evidence that bacteria in large intestine have a role in obesity. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 13, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221105804.htm