The term ‘body fat’ is a common one. Obesity, cholesterol and an unhealthy constitution are what most people associate with this term. Although excess body fat content can cause severe problems, the body requires a specific amount of body fat for various metabolic and structural functions.
The body absorbs fat from the foods you eat and stores it as body fat. As the body breaks down these fats, two byproducts are released into the body – glycerol and fatty acids. The liver processes glycerol into glucose and stores it as a stock of energy. Fatty acids provide energy for all your cells and tissues, especially for the heart muscles and the skeletal muscles. So, it is very important to include fatty substances in the diet.
Here are a few major functions of body fats:
* Body fats maintain healthy skin and hair.
* To maintain the right body temperature, it is essential to have adequate body fat.
* Body fats are the storehouses of energy in the body.
* Smooth functioning of cells is maintained with body fats.
* Body fats have a cushioning effect on organs and tissues.
* Body fats act as a shock absorber for bones.
* The body will not absorb many vital vitamins like A, E, D and K unless they combine with fats.
* Scientists believe that body fats act as immunity boosters to protect the body from ailments.
Too Much Body Fat – Why Is It Undesirable?
While the body cannot function smoothly without body fat, you must remember that an excess of body fat can negatively affect the body. Very often, the fats absorbed by the body do not burn off but get stored in the body. Such accumulation of body fats may lead to obesity that can then set off many other health issues like breathing difficulties, arthritis and heart disease.
To prevent problems associated with too much body fat, one must be aware of the current body fat percentage in the body and the ideal percentage required. According to the American Council on Exercise, body fat must ideally constitute — – 17 percent of the total weight of a man. In the case of women, body fat must be around 21 – 24 percent of total weight.
Knowing the exact fat percentage in your body can help in setting realistic weight loss plans. With the various fat measurement techniques available today, it is very easy to keep track of the body fat and adopt steps to a healthy lifestyle. Four popular fat measurement methods are Home Body Fat Scales, Navy Method, Hydrostatic Weighing and Skinfold Calipers.
Is Weight Loss the Same as Body Fat Loss?
Weight loss and body fat reduction are two completely different concepts. Consider an instance of two individuals the same age – an athletically built person and a normal person. Due to the extra weight of muscles, the athletic person may weigh more than his counterpart. However, the second person’s weight may be related to a higher content of body fat. The normal person will be more vulnerable to weight-related issues than the athletic person. Therefore, it is important to lose body fat rather than trying to lose body weight. With new methods that measure body fat percentage, you can get an accurate report of your body fat and the amount you must lose or gain to remain fit and healthy.
When trying weight loss plans to lose body fat, it is best to adopt a plan that combines a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and a minimum of processed carbohydrates with a good exercise regimen. You should keep the body fat levels to the ideal percentage and enjoy better health in your life.
HealthStatus.com has a free calculator to determine your body fat percentage. Visit the site for and try the body fat calculator as well as many other easy to use interactive health tools.
categories: body fat,fitness,exercise,diet,weight loss,health,beauty,body building
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