What is Visceral Fat?

Let's delve into the critical topic of visceral fat and its profound implications for our cardiovascular health.

Visceral fat isn't just your run-of-the-mill excess weight. It's not visible in the mirror or felt in the fit of your clothes. It’s the type of fat that accumulates deep within your abdomen, encasing vital organs like your heart, liver, and gut. 

Why is it critical to measure? Because visceral fat isn't merely a superficial concern; it directly correlates with the development of metabolic disease, and ultimately cardiovascular disease. While traditional scales can't gauge visceral fat, advanced methods like DEXA scans and MRI provide accurate measurements. Although MRI offers superior accuracy without radiation, it's not always accessible or cost-effective. DEXA scans, on the other hand, are more widely available, affordable, and involve minimal radiation exposure, taking only 7-8 minutes to complete.

In my practice at Zor, I routinely track my clients’ body composition, which includes muscle mass, fat mass, and most importantly, visceral fat mass. By setting personalized targets and offering tailored recommendations, we work together to optimize health outcomes.