TOXINS AND THE UNHEALTHY ACCUMULATION OF BODY FAT

Fat accumulation is probably one of the commonest topics in the health space and I think it is fair to state that when it comes up, the average person has a mental picture of a visibly overweight person, which is not entirely accurate. There are some apparently normal or healthy looking and even some seemingly underweight individuals who may have unhealthy levels of body fats.

The World Health Organization defines obesity and overweight as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.” There is more but we will hold on to this for now.

Many factors cause this condition but the well-known are a poor lifestyle with unhealthy eating habits and being sedentary. Did you know, however, that toxin storage is gradually joining these two?

Toxins are chemicals or poisons that are harmful to humans by extending adversities to human health, either almost immediately or over a period of time, with constant exposure. They used to be defined as of plant or animal (normally waste products) origins but toxins in the form of chemicals from human social and industrial activities have caught attention in recent times. Notable of these are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s). These are chemicals we are all easily and constantly exposed to. They may be found in food preservatives, beauty products and even in the air we breathe, among many other sources.

The body is designed to use a set amount of fats in the body, after which the excesses are stored in the adipose tissues. These are a collection of cells where excess fats in the blood are stored and later released upon need as an energy source. The more excess fats in the blood, the more fat is stored in the adipose tissues across the body and by extension obesity happens.

How do toxins cause accumulation of fat in the body?

Though the body has provision for excreting waste and toxins either through sweat, faecal matter or urine, it is worth mentioning that some toxins are not easily expelled from the body. The body devices a way of coping, such as storage as fat in the body’s fat tissues.

 This storage, when occurs over a consistent and long period piles up the toxins resulting in adverse health problems.

Some research findings inform that toxins like POP’s have an incredibly high affinity to fat and the capability to impair fat metabolism, hence causing bioaccumulation of fats. This gives the extra difficulty in releasing and burning these fats for the body’s energy production when needed. Those exposed are therefore highly susceptible to obesity and its related diseases. With such toxins, it is clear that more must be done, aside dieting and exercising, to prevent or tackle obesity. 

Some research findings inform that toxins like POP’s have an incredibly high affinity to fat, the capability to impair fat metabolism and hence causing bioaccumulation of fats.