What is Fat?

What is fat and why do some have it and others don't? This is a good question. Many times you see people that are heavy, yet seem to lack fat. Then you see the thin with cellulite. This dilemma makes trying to choose the right fat loss program even more confusing.

Let's just try to clarify some facts, first. We all have fat cells. Where they are distributed on your body is probably due much to genetics or how you were born. Some people may store fat more easily around their hips and thighs while keeping a small waist, others in the stomach and "love handle" area while keeping thin, muscular legs, while still others store fat in their buttocks, thighs and stomach while maintaining a lean torso.

Regardless of where you store fat, all of our fat is the same. We have adipose fat and visceral fat. We have yellow fat (sometimes called white) and brown fat.

Adipose fat is that stored not far under the skin. Adipose tissue produces hormones such as resistin and leptin. When there is too much of it, you see it on thighs, butts, etc.

Visceral fat is stored around the organs such as the heart. It is also called "organ fat" and is thought to pad the organs and keep them safe. Too much is dangerous. Excess visceral fat can cause a fat belly effect and is associated with coronary artery disease, hypertension, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

Brown fat is mainly found in infants and hibernating animals. It is there to help keep the animal warm. This is not the fat that adults generally have too much of.

Yellow fat is made up of adipose tissue or fat cells. In the medical world, you see that fat cells enlarge as "excess energy" is stored in them. What is this "excess energy?" In the fitness and nutrition world, it will simply be termed fat. In the holistic world it may be termed toxins. Does it matter?

It is interesting that those in the medical community term it "excess energy" since most definitions of energy are abstract; for example: "a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs;" or "forceful exertion" and "a lively style."

How would a substance such as that described above get stored in fat cells? Is there a better term for this? I think the best approach is to generalize terms and call it what it is. Too much of something is bad - no matter what it is called.

Fat cells can store waste. I call it waste because anything that is in excess is not being used, therefore wasted. I think if you fill fat cells to capacity, your body makes more fat cells for more storage. Why does the body store this instead of eliminate it?

In order for your fat cells to release excess, or waste, your body needs certain elements. Good fats, including omega 3's, omega 6's and omega 9's are some of them. You body also needs proper balance of hormones to release the excess "energy" in fat cells. These are only a few of the requirements.

It is enough, however, to know that your body knows what to do so you don't have to. In other words, if you eat carrots, your body knows how to convert the beta carotene into vitamin A. You don't have to know how. The same goes for the many other functions of your body. Your body knows what to do and how to balance itself, but it requires fuel to do so.

Our bodies start to accumulate waste instead of eliminating it because we are not getting enough good nutrition. Elimination, whether it's elimination of waste in fat cells or build up in the intestinal tract, is one of the many jobs your body must do. In order for your body to do all of it's jobs, it requires fuel - in the form of nutrition.

This rule is not dependent on body type. It is a fact of all nature - the body needs nutrition to work and function properly. Unfortunately junk food does not supply the nutrition we need. As we become out of balance, the body becomes sluggish. When it is sluggish, it stores instead of eliminates.

Think about it - when you eat too many cookies or junk foods, you get fat. Your body doesn't eliminate what it doesn't use - it stores it! This is simply because your body becomes overwhelmed or over burdened. When it becomes overburdened, it shuts down because it simply can't work the way it is supposed to.

So - back to the fat cells. What is it storing? It doesn't matter. What has happened is that for one reason or another your body became out of balance and needs help getting back into balance. Getting back into balance is healthier, gives you stronger resistance to degenerative disease and helps you to feel better and look better.

So to get into balance is the goal and there are many paths to that goal.

To lose fat, or the stuff stored in fat, we can deduce that at the very least we must consume better quality food and eat less junk food. Almost all programs are going to help you with that. But if the food is processed, remember it takes chemicals to process it. Chemicals are not necessarily good for your health, and the nutrition from that type of food is probably not the kind your body will actually absorb and use. So be careful about choosing "health foods" or "light foods." It is better to focus on whole, lesser processed, and possibly organic foods.

Don't forget the physical part. Exercise will make any fat loss program easier and add to your energy levels. So be sure to include some form of exercise with your fat loss program.

In the upcoming posts we will explore the different options for diet and exercise that can best enhance any fat loss program and accommodate different lifestyles.