Women living with PCOS often experience bloating and excess abdominal weight as a result of high levels of androgens (male hormones). Other symptoms of PCOS can include irregular periods, infertility, and insulin resistance.
Belly fat can either be subcutaneous or visceral. Subcutaneous fat lies beneath the skin and feels soft to touch; visceral fat resides deeper within your stomach and surrounds internal organs – this type of accumulation is considered hazardous to one’s health.
Subcutaneous fat
Subcutaneous fat is an integral component of our bodies’ energy storage system. It acts as an insulator, helping maintain internal body temperatures independent from external environments and helping blood move between muscle layers and skin layers to ensure adequate nutrition to every part of our bodies.
Too much subcutaneous fat can be detrimental to one’s health; its most frequent sources are physical inactivity and high-calorie diets; it may also result from preexisting medical conditions or medications, and those who carry too much subcutaneous fat have higher insulin resistance and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
One telltale sign of too much subcutaneous fat is its visible and palpable presence on the body, unlike visceral fat which cannot be felt or seen. A person’s amount of subcutaneous fat varies significantly, depending on genetics and environmental influences; however, with healthy eating practices and physical exercise regimes this fat can be reduced significantly.
People with too much subcutaneous fat may have a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.85 or above, which is considered unhealthy and may lead to low-grade inflammation, an associated risk factor for metabolic diseases. Unfortunately, losing this fat can be challenging; one should avoid sugary foods, increase their protein consumption and engage in aerobic exercises in order to make progress towards weight loss.
Visceral fat has long been linked with serious health risks; however, subcutaneous fat may provide more reliable indicators of overall wellbeing. People who carry too much subcutaneous fat tend to have lower levels of good cholesterol and omega-3 fats essential for heart health compared with people carrying visceral fat; additionally, they have an increased chance of diabetes or metabolic syndromes.
Burn more calories than you consume – This can be accomplished through eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins as well as participating in cardio vascular exercises like brisk walking, swimming, cycling or running; adding strength training can further assist your efforts at losing subcutaneous fat.
Visceral fat
Visceral fat in the belly, particularly visceral visceral fat, has been linked to numerous health conditions, including insulin resistance and diabetes. Visceral fat resides deep within the abdomen and surrounds internal organs; its hard to lose nature makes protruding stomach more likely. Visceral fat has also been linked with cardiovascular disease risk, metabolic syndrome risk and chronic inflammation and fatty liver disease risk.
Visceral fat differs from subcutaneous fat in that it cannot be felt; instead it accumulates within abdominal organs and in an omentum-like structure called an “apple-shaped” body in premenopausal females.
Visceral fat should be consumed only in moderation to stay healthy, since it builds up in the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, visceral fat produces certain proteins which irritate and narrow blood vessels within the body, increasing both triglyceride and cholesterol levels while simultaneously decreasing HDL (good) levels.
Men tend to carry more visceral fat than women due to how their bodies store fat – this favours accumulation in the upper body rather than hips and thighs. Women, on the other hand, typically possess greater subcutaneous fat accumulation in buttock and thigh areas – known as pear-shaped bodies and often seen more prevalently among premenopausal women.
Visceral fat poses greater health risks than subcutaneous fat, as its contents can be reached by the immune system and cause it to release inflammatory chemicals that damage gastrointestinal lining as well as hormones which lead to diabetes and other medical issues.
The easiest way to detect visceral fat is with a tape measure and its correct use – taking measurements at navel level (not above) as opposed to above the belly button and not compressing areas too tightly with tape tightening or sucking in stomach muscles too tightly with tight tape pulling. In certain instances, however, doctors may recommend CT scanning or full body MRI tests as additional means for accurately diagnosing visceral fat; these costly procedures are rarely offered in primary care settings.
Hormonal imbalances
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, affects 10% of reproductive age women and causes irregular periods, excess hair growth and abdominal weight gain known as the PCOS belly. This condition results from an imbalance between female and male hormones; those living with PCOS tend to produce more androgens than they should, leading to fat accumulation around their abdomens.
PCOS belly is so-called because of its protruding or round shape and differing appearance from regular belly fat. Furthermore, PCOS belly is harder to get rid of than other forms of fat and associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and infertility.
Insulin resistance is often at the core of PCOS bellies. When your body becomes resistant to insulin and cannot process glucose properly, your glucose levels become out-of-whack with one another and this leads to symptoms like an enlarged belly that makes consuming high-fat diets, sugary beverages, or processed food more likely.
Women living with PCOS often accumulate more abdominal fat than is healthy for their BMI, creating what’s known as an “extra tire” or muffin top look. Unfortunately, this form of fat has the potential to lead to infertility, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure issues that require treatment.
Women living with PCOS often suffer from insulin resistance as well as other medical issues that exacerbate symptoms, including low thyroid or adrenal function, which makes weight loss harder than usual. Therefore, it’s crucial that they discuss these concerns with a healthcare provider in order to find a plan of attack to manage them successfully.
PCOS bellies may seem impossible to shift, but with proper strategies it is indeed achievable. Following a healthy diet and exercising regularly while managing stress and sleeping enough, you can effectively combat PCOS symptoms while reaching your weight loss goals. Just be sure not over-exercising as this could have adverse impacts on hormone balance and disrupt hormone production.
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when your body can’t use the hormone insulin effectively. Produced in your pancreas, insulin is needed for glucose to enter cells to supply energy – when not used effectively it leads to high blood sugar and fat belly; often a telltale sign of type 2 diabetes and heart disease risk factors; it has even been linked with depression!
PCOS’ root cause is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance makes it harder for your liver, fat and muscle cells to take in glucose and store it as energy; it has also been linked with high cholesterol and blood pressure levels; but insulin resistance doesn’t just occur among overweight or obese people; genetic syndromes, conditions that affect hormone levels or medications can all contribute.
Insulin resistance can lead to many of the same causes that contribute to belly fat: fatty liver, hormone imbalances, metabolic defects and inflammation. But don’t despair: you can reduce these factors with regular physical exercise and eating healthily.
Change your eating habits to try and shed those excess pounds, but if this fails to produce results, medical assistance might be required for optimal health. Exercise more, get enough restful sleep and reduce stress. Exercise to combat insulin resistance as a form of prevention as well as reduce insulin resistance through physical activity such as running and weight lifting and reduce stress levels by engaging in sports such as tennis.
Make sure that you consume plenty of protein and fiber-rich foods, along with lots of water! Alcohol and caffeine may increase insulin levels. Also be sure that you’re drinking lots of it!