Debunking 5 Common Belly Fat Myths

 

Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery, says the Chicago area’s Dr. Lawrence Iteld, is a popular way to permanently remove stubborn fat from the stomach area. This is the fat that seems to be resistant to all forms of weight loss, from dieting to exercise.

For people who naturally have a more apple-shaped figure or a “spare tire” around the midsection, getting a flat stomach can seem virtually impossible—even after weight loss. When this is your natural body type because of genetics, it can be a struggle to wear any kind of high-waisted pants or find a tight-fitting top or dress that flatters. Revealing crop tops are often out of the question. On the bright side, you probably have killer legs and never have to worry about having too much fat around your hips and thighs. Millions of people in the world have this body type—and, of course, it’s important to love your body regardless of what you look like—but remember that being heavier on top doesn’t mean you have to be overweight. Doctors urge us to be careful about storing too much deep stomach fat, also known as visceral fat, which is the “hard” protruding fat stored around the internal organs due to a combination of genetics, stress hormones, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet. This visceral fat is in contrast to subcutaneous fat, which sits just under the skin and is soft and “pinchable.”

The drawbacks of having excess visceral belly fat aren’t simply cosmetic. Having an overly large amount of this “hard” fat is also linked to serious illnesses like heart disease and type two diabetes. Not to mention, some studies suggest that having too much stomach fat can lead to premature death, regardless of how much body fat you have overall—and even if you have a healthy BMI. The best way to keep the bulk off your waistline even before you consider a tummy tuck is by changing your lifestyle to include more healthy, balanced food choices and more activity.

Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions that have circulated about stomach fat. Here are some of the rumors that patients should stop believing:

Myth #1: Ab Workouts Burn Belly Fat

They’re good for your posture, they can build the muscles in your abdomen, and they make you stronger, but the truth is that no number of crunches and sit-ups will erase the layer of fat above the muscles or give you the chiselled, washboard abs of your dreams.

Myth #2: You Can Spot Reduce Your Middle

Your body simply isn’t designed for losing fat in one area through exercise alone. When you create a calorie deficit and lose weight this way, your overall body weight decreases, but some areas will lose more fat than others—and you can’t control which areas those are.

Myth #3: You Just Need to Stop Eating Fats

In the ’80s and ’90s, low-fat diets became all the rage in an effort to prevent heart disease. We now know that eating fat won’t make you fat all by itself. Although cutting down on your overall calorie intake helps weight loss, healthy dietary fats, like olive oil, may be consumed in moderation.

Myth #4: Juice Cleanses/Detoxes Give You a Flat Stomach

Your body is already designed with the perfect mechanism to get rid of toxins—that’s the function of your liver—so there’s no need to go on a juice cleanse to detox. Not to mention, studies show that juice cleanses aren’t even particularly healthy or good for weight loss. Juices mostly contain high amounts of sugar, so you won’t be getting the fiber or protein you need and might just end up with a hunger headache instead from skipping meals.

Myth #5: Belly Fat Prevents Bone Density Loss

It was previously thought that having some extra fat around the midsection protects the bones, but new research shows that abdominal obesity actually increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone loss. A larger amount of visceral fat increases the likelihood of having a low bone mineral density in adult men and women.

Considering a tummy tuck? Reach out to the Iteld Plastic Surgery team. To request a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Iteld, give them a call at 312.757.4505, or submit a contact form through their website.