What can excessive visceral fat lead to in terms of health risks?

Excessive visceral fat is linked to numerous health risks, particularly the increased likelihood of developing metabolic diseases. Visceral fat is the fat stored around internal organs, and its accumulation is associated with alterations in metabolic processes. This type of fat secretes inflammatory markers and hormones that can disrupt normal insulin function, leading to insulin resistance, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Moreover, high levels of visceral fat are correlated with cardiovascular issues, including hypertension, abnormal cholesterol levels, and increased risk for heart disease. These mechanisms highlight why the presence of excess visceral fat poses a significant threat to metabolic health, making the connection between visceral fat and metabolic diseases critical to understanding overall health risks.