| There's no escaping the fact that the more body fat | | | | cases, this blood vessel damage results in blocked |
| you have and the longer you carry it, the more you | | | | capillaries resulting in the amputation of parts of your |
| increase your risk of developing debilitating and, | | | | arms and legs. And, of course, Type 2 Diabetes also |
| possibly, fatal diseases. Many of the diseases are | | | | increases the probability of Coronary Heart Disease. |
| very serious. Being obese or overweight is the | | | | Also, Type 2 Diabetes will cause similar problems in |
| second leading cause of preventable death in America | | | | the blood vessels in the retinas in your eyes. If |
| today. It's a national epidemic! | | | | untreated by an ophthalmologist, then this blood |
| Excess body fat has huge consequences to your | | | | vessel damage can lead to impaired vision or |
| health by increasing the risk of the following | | | | blindness. Most people that are being treated for this |
| conditions and diseases: | | | | condition still experience impaired vision. |
| Cardiovascular Diseases: High Blood Pressure, High | | | | Excess belly fat in men and women increases the risk |
| Cholesterol, Elevated Triglycerides (blood fats), | | | | of cancer. Visceral fat around the stomach organs |
| Atherosclerosis/Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, | | | | and subcutaneous fat over the abdominal muscles |
| Angina, | | | | promotes an inflammatory response in the body |
| Myocardial Infarction/Heart Attack | | | | which is believed to increase the risk of developing |
| Metabolic Diseases: Elevated Blood Sugar, High Insulin | | | | such cancers as: breast cancer, colon cancer, uterine |
| Levels (Hyperinsulinemia), Insulin Resistance Syndrome | | | | and cervical cancer, and prostate cancer. |
| (also called Syndrome X), Type 2 Diabetes, Gall | | | | Being overweight or obese for long periods of time |
| Bladder Disease/Gallstones | | | | greatly deteriorates the hip and knee joints. |
| Cancers: Breast Cancer, Uterine Cancer, Ovarian | | | | Increased body fat levels and higher bodyweights |
| Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Colon Cancer, Prostate | | | | contribute to the development of osteoarthritis - a |
| Cancer | | | | degenerative disease of the joint. Eventually, hip and |
| Orthopedic Conditions and Diseases: Osteoarthritis of | | | | or knee replacements become necessary if a person |
| knees and hips, Lower Back Pain, Disc Degeneration | | | | wants to be mobile and pain free. |
| in Lumbar Spine region, Foot and ankle pain | | | | Research done at the Robert Stempel School of |
| Other Conditions and Diseases: Sleep Apnea, Gout, | | | | Public Health at Florida International University found |
| Impaired mobility, stability and flexibility | | | | that hip replacements have increased 71% from 1997 |
| One of the most common diseases is Insulin | | | | to 2004 and knee replacements have increased 83% |
| Resistance Syndrome (Syndrome X). Approximately | | | | for the same time period. When you compare this |
| 60-75 million Americans have Insulin Resistance | | | | data with the fact that adults have been getting |
| Syndrome. Insulin Resistance Syndrome is a precursor | | | | increasingly heavier in the last several decades, it's no |
| to Coronary Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. | | | | surprise. |
| When you have Insulin Resistance Syndrome, your | | | | Clearly, excess body fat ages and deteriorates your |
| insulin has difficulty shuttling glucose (blood sugar) into | | | | body at an accelerated rate. With excess body fat, |
| the glycogen (stored glucose) storage sites in your | | | | you become "old before your time" and this |
| liver and muscles. When this happens, the pancreas | | | | eventually results in a greatly diminished quality of life. |
| secretes more insulin to help the process. The excess | | | | If you want to be active and healthy, then you must |
| insulin in the bloodstream damages the arteries, | | | | do everything possible to reduce the body fat or |
| eventually leading to Coronary Heart Disease and | | | | prevent any accumulation of body fat. If you don't, |
| heart failure. | | | | then you risk the dire consequences discussed above. |
| About 5-10% of people who have Insulin Resistance | | | | To lose body fat and reduce your risk of the |
| Syndrome eventually develop Type 2 Diabetes. This | | | | diseases mentioned above, you must employ three |
| happens because the body becomes so insulin | | | | key strategies: resistance training, cardio exercise and |
| resistant that the pancreas cannot supply enough | | | | a sensible diet. These strategies are the foundation |
| insulin to reduce the high levels of glucose in the | | | | of a successful fat loss program. If you're |
| blood stream. | | | | overweight or obese - you don't have to be. There is |
| Type 2 Diabetes is a degenerative disease because it | | | | a solution. |
| causes further damage to the blood vessels. In some | | | | |