Loosing Stomach Fat

 

Smoking and fat around stomach: Are they related?

We see a lot of them ever since the 1960s—sexy women, cigarette in hand, showcasing new dresses, jewelry and lingerie. They all seem to say one thing—cigarettes are for sexy, independent women.

Ever since the popularity of these advertisements, people seem to equate smoking with a slim figure. Earlier reports have claimed that cigarette smoking makes one lose weight because of an increase in metabolic rate Evidence seems to suggest that smoking cigarettes causes an increase in metabolic rate and may also suppress appetite.

However, recent evidence tells otherwise. Smoking does not help one stay thin; rather, they have found out that dieters who have started smoking gain weight. This was seen as due to the fact that smoking inhibits fat burning. It also causes muscle damage, thus leading to a flabby abdomen and sagging skin.
Smoking increases cortisol levels in the bloodstream. Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenals. It rises in instances of stress and anxiety.  If it is within normal levels in the blood, Cortisol restores balance in the body after stress. It also strengthens the immune system against infections.

Cortisol opposes the effect of insulin, which is the hormone in the pancreas responsible for utilization of glucose in the body. It promotes the breakdown of fats and proteins in the body. IT may sound favorable, but this effect can be dangerous. Fat is needed sometimes as a source of energy and protein is responsible for building muscle, which is in turn, an important factor in having a tight abdomen. Since cotrisol promotes conversion of fats and proteins into sugar, the blood sugar rises up thus causing diabetes. Cortisol also permits fat to be deposited on the abdominal region, thus giving the person a “pot belly”.
An abnormal increase in Cortisol also breaks down collagen.Collagen is resoponsible for muscle shape and tone. Lack of collagen gives rise to weak, underdeveloped muscles.

In addition to these effects, cortisol also stimulates the stomach to secrete acid. Too much acid secretion increases the loss of potassium during diarrhea. Cortisol also increases sodium levels in the blood stream and decreases copper levels, thus making the body prone to infections, because some enzymes which help fight off organisms are copper-dependent.

By itself, Cortisol has been found out to weaken the immune system by preventing the proliferation of T cells, the so called “soldier cells? It also decreases bone formation and can give rise to osteoporosis when exceeding normal limits.

With these facts in mind, it is easy to see why smoking is a destructive behavior. It can destroy your health and leave unsightly flabs in your stomach. It does not at all enhance appearance, but it promotes sagging and aging of skin.

If you want to live long and get that sexy body, why don’t you stop smoking now? Smoking offers nothing but a sickly body with a decreased resistance to infection and an aged, sagging skin. If you stop smoking now, you are guaranteed to experience the disappearance of a fat belly within a few weeks. Together with proper diet and exercise, being smoke-free is sure to keep you fit!