According to the doctor, genetics, a sedentary lifestyle and a diet rich in saturated fats and sugars can contribute to the accumulation of this fat. A little of it is even useful for our survival, but too much of it poses several health risks.
How it is formed and what its function is
There are several factors related to the excessive accumulation of visceral fat, including a sedentary lifestyle, favorable genetics and excessive consumption of calories (more than what is consumed), especially from ultra-processed foods, rich in sugar and saturated fats.
This type of fat is often referred to as an “active fat”, due to its role in the functioning of the body, unlike subcutaneous fat, which is just below the skin and has less direct metabolic impact.
Although harmful in excess, visceral fat has important functions, participating in the hormonal and thermal regulation of internal organs. “It’s like an organ, as it secretes hormones and inflammatory cytokines,” says Carpentieri.
“In visceral fat, adipocytes tend to be larger and more metabolically active compared to those in subcutaneous fat”, he adds. Adipocytes are cells that provide energy, act as thermal insulators and offer protection against shocks, for example.
