Fat Science: Understanding Why We Get Fat

publication date: Feb 1, 2010
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author/source: Josh Rubin
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By Josh Rubin

Fat Science: Understanding Why We Get Fat - Self Improvement

Why do humans accumulate fat in general? This is quite simple and most of the time overlooked by all. If you look at the diet and lifestyle of many Americans, you will see some common threads that lead to fat accumulation:
  1. Overabundance of trans fats
  2. Overabundance of refined/processed foods
  3. Overabundance of alcohol
  4. Overabundance of pasteurized milk
  5. Over exposure to the many faces of stress (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, chemical, EMF, environment, etc.)
  6. This all equates to an overabundance of toxins that Americans are ingesting and being exposed to on a daily basis.
When it comes down to it, fat stores toxins. So, the poorer the nutrition and lifestyle habits are, the more fat the person is going to accumulate.

There is an easy two-part explanation that you can describe this process. The first point is the Law of Cause and Effect. For everything that a person does in their life, there will be a cause or result. It is not by chance things happen to us, it is by choice! So with the liposuction, the person is only treating the symptom of a major issue being smoke-screened by the liposuction. Americans today are extremely lazy and unhealthy, not wanting to take responsibility for themselves. This is a prime example. The other example, is how the meat industry feed and breed cows before they slaughter them. The biggest (fattest) cow wins and the breeder gets the most money. So what do conventional farmer do, they feed cows everything and anything (feces, dead animals, saw dust, cement dust, blood, plastic, etc). Why do they do this, because fat stores toxins!

There are many other factors involved in gaining weight/fat, when consistently working out. As a CHEK Practitioner, I use many physical, neurological, nutritional, physiological and lifestyle assessments to get to the root of clients dysfunctions. Unfortunately I don’t have the space to keep on writing about these issues, but here are some areas you should look into yourself.
  1. Hormonal imbalances. Any drop or increase in estrogen/progesterone will cause a spike in cortisol=fat storing hormone.
  2. Gut dysfunction. Permeability, parasites, H. Pylori, hypochlorhydria to name a few. This leads to increased internal stress, increased cortisol levels, altered gland function and so on. The end result is weight gain.
  3. Endocrine gland dysfunction. Adrenals and thyroid, which correlate with one another. The adrenal glands are used under any time of sympathetic stress. If a person is always stress (most of the time internally), cortisol will continually be released. Once again, cortisol is a fat storing hormone.
  4. Visceral dysfunction. Uterus, ovaries, kidney/bladder, liver/GB, etc inflammation or inhibition.
  5. Emotional issues related to self-identity or physical needs. To take it even to a deeper level, fat in this area correlates with the Root (1st) Chakra or the adrenal glands (stress hormone glands that produce cortisol). This pertains to getting your physical needs met, being safe and secure, grounded, and establishing your “I”dentity between the ages 0-7 year old. The real issue could be that she is a child running around in an adult suit, afraid to come out secondary to never getting her needs met. AS well, why is she getting all this cosmetic surgery? Is it to please her inner being, NO! It is to please the EGO, as well as societies belief’s of what a women her age should look like. The mental, emotional and spiritual bodies are manifested in the physical body. So if you think along those lines, she needs more than just nutrition and exercise.
Adipose Tissue

Even the most casual observer will note that everyone does not carry their adipose tissue in the same anatomical locations. Adipose tissue that is located predominantly on the upper body has been termed "apple" distribution. This distribution pattern is found more frequently in men. When adipose tissue accumulates predominantly in the lower body, the terms "pear" distribution are used. “Pear shape” is found more frequently in women than in men. This is another entire subject in itself.

Adipose tissue is specialized connective tissue that functions as the major storage site for fat in the form of triglycerides. Adipose tissue serves three functions: heat insulation, mechanical cushion, and most importantly, a source of energy. Subcutaneous adipose tissue, found directly below the skin, is an especially important heat insulator in the body. Adipose tissue also surrounds internal organs and provides some protection for these organs from jarring.

Lipogenesis is the deposition of fat. This process occurs in adipose tissue and in the liver. Energy ingested as fat beyond that needed for current energy demands is stored in adipose tissue. In addition, carbohydrate and protein consumed in the diet can be converted to fat. So is equivalent to taking in more than you can burn off. That is why most Americans are overweight. People work more and move less, as well as eat like S*&T! Insulin, a hormone secreted by pancreas, also plays a predominant role in the lipogenic process. The net effect of insulin is to enhance storage and block mobilization and oxidation of fatty acids.

Lipolysis is the chemical decomposition and release of fat from adipose tissue. This process predominates over lipogenesis when additional energy is required.

About the Author

East West Healing and PerformanceAs San Diego’s trainers of holistic health, Josh and Jeanne’s vision is to provide individuals with ongoing motivation and guidance. Their Holistic approach embraces treating the person and systems within the person, versus the disease that has the person. We all have been born with different genetic strengths and weaknesses, and the way we have treated our bodies has given us different states of vitality and recuperative capabilities. In order to recover and achieve each individual’s personal state of optimal wellness, we must assess and treat all four pillars of health. In doing so we are able to develop individualized, comprehensive exercise and/or nutrition programs. Regardless of whether you have immediate health concerns and /or orthopedic injuries, or wish to prevent future ones, an accurate assessment backed by effective therapies (exercise/nutrition), is essential!

Visit www.eastwesthealing.com