2 min readEnhancewell
Avocado. Olive oil. Nuts. Eggs. Salmon. We’ve heard all about the “good fats” you need in your diet.
But what about “good fat” in humans? Not all fat is alike, and there’s a proven method for making sure your fat tissue is healthy. Zero percent body fat is neither healthy nor achievable, so keep reading to find out how to boost the health of your fat tissue.
The study
A group of researchers at The University of Michigan studied the impact of exercise on fat tissue by comparing two groups of adults with obesity. The first group reported exercising at least four times per week for an average of 11 years, while the second group— similar in sex, weight, and body mass index— reported never regularly exercising.
The team took samples of belly fat from these 32 individuals, studied the samples, and grew new fat tissue from the cells collected.
The results
Researcher Jeffrey Horowitz, PhD, a professor of movement science at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, shared, “Our findings indicate that in addition to being a means to expend calories, exercising regularly for several months to years seems to modify your fat tissue in ways that allows you to store your body fat more healthfully if or when you do experience some weight gain—as nearly everyone does as we get older.”
Despite the participants having a similar physical appearance, their fat tissue showed significant differences in composition and location. The fat tissue of the exercisers was higher in blood vessels, mitochondria, and beneficial proteins while having fewer inflammatory cells and metabolism-interfering collagen.
What does it actually mean?
Horowitz explained that when long-term exercisers gain weight, “this excess fat will be stored more ‘healthfully’ in this area under the skin, rather than in the fat tissue around their organs (visceral fat) or an accumulation of fat in organs themselves, like the liver or heart.” While this study was small, it shows that regular exercise— even when it’s not contributing to weight loss— can transform the health and location of fat tissue in your body.
When fat tissue settles in sedentary individuals around organs like the liver, the risk for fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and cancer goes up. Exercisers instead store fat just under the skin, away from organs.
Ready to make a change?
If you’re discouraged by a lack of results on the scale despite putting in the work to get fit, don’t despair, and— more importantly— don’t stop exercising. The good you’re doing for your body may not show on the outside yet, but you’re doing so much good for your heart, joints, liver, and overall health.
For a personalized training regimen and a free digital recipe booklet filled with protein-packed meals, sign up for a free consultation call and take the first step towards your fitness goals. The Enhancewell Fitness personalized exercise experience has helped people just like you see huge results. Are you ready to join our ever-growing list of happy clients?