What Is Body Fat and Causes of Body Fat
Introduction To Normal Body Fat
Like body organs as muscle, bone, water and other body organs, body fat is the important constituent of our body. It provides shape and structure to the body and contributes to providing support to the body. Body fat is also known as Adipose tissues, which mainly store energy in the form of fat and later helps in various metabolic processes of the body. Body Fat is calculated mainly by BMI index. BMI index stands for Body Mass Index which is calculated as –
BMI Index = Weight (in Kg) / Height (in m)
BMI in Adults
It can be –
| Normal healthy weight | 18.5 to 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 to 29.9 |
| Obese | 30 to 39.9 |
| Severely obese | 40 or above |
Types of Total Weight of Body Fat
Total Body Fat can be divided into three main types which are as follows –
- Essential body fat
- Reserve body fat
- Excess body fat
1. Essential Body Fat
The word “Essential” means mandatory. This body fat is mandatory for our body as it is required to protect our internal organs in case of bruising damage and it protects us from infectious diseases. This body fat acts as an “Emergency fuel” for our body and it acts as an insulator and protects our body from shock. Its value in females is a little higher as compared to males.
2. Reserve Body Fat
The word “Reserve” means stored. This body fat acts as “Reservoir of fuel” of the body for various functions of the body and does not cause any medical problems. This body fat is allowable for body before the start of any medical problem in the body.
3. Excess Body Fat
The word “Excess” stands for more than necessary. This body fat is the combination of above the two. Excess body fat causes various medical problems like – Diabetes, Stroke, Cancers and Heart attack. The risk of death increases with an increase in Excess body fat.
Excess body fat = Essential body fat + Reserve body fat
Ayurvedic Perspective of Obesity
In Ayurveda, Obesity is known as “Medoroga”, in which “Med” stands for fat tissue and “Roga” stands for Disease, So “Medoroga” stands for fat tissue disorder. “MEDOVAHASROTASAS” are the channels of circulation that regulate lipid metabolism in the body, which are blocked in obese people, leading to the faulty metabolism of the fat deposits, leading to obesity.
Causes of Excess Body Fat
All body fat is not bad for our body, somebody fats are required for normal shape and structure of our body and are also required for normal body functions. Excess body fat is harmful to our body because it causes various medical conditions like diabetes, cancers, heart attack and stroke. The condition of Excess body fat in our body is known as Obesity. Here are some causes of Excess body fat –
1. Genetics
Genetics plays a major role in Obesity. If your parents are obese then there are chances that their offsprings can also be obese. Genes are responsible for controlling of amount of body fat stored by the body. Fat cells and placenta produce one hormone called Leptin, which mainly signals our body to maintain weight and to eat less. Leptin hormone deficiency is seen in Obese people.
2. Energy Imbalance
Normally there is a balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. When there is an imbalance between these two, excessive body fat is the result, leading to Obesity.
3. Age
Age plays an important role. As we grow older, we become less active, muscle mass decreases, the metabolism gets disturbed resulting in the accumulation of excess body fat. Hormonal changes can also play a role in increasing fats.
4. Sugar Rich Diet
Mainly added sugar plays its role. Added sugar is half glucose and half fructose. We get glucose from various starches and fructose comes from excessive sugar. This excess sugar results in a change in our biochemistry of the body and changes in our hormones. So in short, sugar causes increased energy storage, hence leading to obesity.
5. Alcohol
People who regularly take alcohol to become more obese. Alcohol causes increased calories in the body. Increased calories result in the accumulation of excess body fat, resulting in Obesity.
6. Pregnancy
Due to hormonal changes, weight gain is commonly seen during pregnancy and woman tends to gain weight during pregnancy. So weight gain during pregnancy is quite common.
7. Lack of Physical Activities
Regular exercise is necessary to burn extra calories of our body. Lack of exercise results in increased calories in our body, which leads to the accumulation of excess body fat, hence leading to obesity.
8. Lack of Sleep
Sleep plays a very important role in our body weight. If we sleep more, we will feel more hungry, which will make us eat more, resulting in gain weight. If we do not take enough sleep, again it will result in increased secretion of insulin, which will lead to excess body fat.
9. Overeating
It is a fact that if we overeat or if we do intermittent eating or eating in short meals in between meals it results in increased body fat, leading to obesity.
10. Certain Medical Conditions
like polycystic ovarian syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, Cushing-syndrome, and arthritis can lead to obesity.
11. Emotional or Psychological Factors
Emotions like – happiness, anger, sadness, and stress will make you eat more, which will result in obesity.
12. Certain Medications
Certain medications like – Steroids, Anti-diabetic medicines, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Anti-seizure, and Beta-blockers can lead to a weight gain of the body.
Herbal Remedies for Obesity by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda offers the best herbal treatment for Obesity. All these remedies are pure, natural and are vegetarian in nature. These are free from any side effects. Planet Ayurveda offers Thinner You Pack for Obesity. Thinner You Pack Contains
- Guggul capsules
- Garcinia capsules
- Trim support
- Stholyantak Churna
1. Guggul Capsules
Guggul is also known as Commiphora Mukul. Guggulsterones are its active component. It is very effective in supporting in reducing fat, muscle mass ratio, and body musculature. It also acts as a great purifier for body channels.
Classical Reference for Guggul (Commiphora Mukul)
It is as follows –
Reference – The Bhavprakash nighantu edition of 2010/ Verse32/ Page no.-204
Meaning – Various synonyms for Guggul are – Kaushik, Jatayu, Devdhup, Guggulu, mahishashand palankash kumbholukhlak, and Pur.
Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with plain water, half an hour after meals.
2. Garcinia Capsules
Its main ingredient herb is Garcinia Cambogia. This herb is very beneficial in maintaining healthy body weight in obese people. This herb is natural and 100% pure and can be used for prolonged weight management in obesity cases.
Dosage – 2 capsules twice daily with plain water half an hour after meals.
3. Trim Support
Trim support is a combination of various herbs like – Cyperus rotundus (mustak), Garcinia cambogia (Vriskhahmal) and Myroblans (Triphala). It mainly balances the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and helps in the management of weight.
Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with plain water half an hour after meals.
4. Stholyantak Churna
It is a good anti-oxidant and is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It helps in maintaining normal body weight, balances three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and it supports carbohydrate and protein metabolism. It is blended of 13 ancient herbs.
Dosage – 1 teaspoonful, twice daily with plain water after meals.
OR
Its decoction can also be made by mixing 1 teaspoonful of the powder in a glass of water and boiling it till it remains 1/4th of the initial quantity.
