Even when you are thin, you can have internal obesity: what is dangerous and how to control it?

Meanwhile, regular health checks and tests conducted at polyclinics and pharmacies can now prevent these diseases, according to a press release. One of them, the assessment of body composition, is the only one that shows if there is internal obesity that can lead to serious health problems.

“Various devices that measure, track and store different health metrics are now gaining popularity. And this is only the beginning: the big wave of its popularity is yet to come, as in the future there will be more ways to identify, measure, more sensors that will be able to track more health indicators. And by being able to follow and view our health data for a long time, we will be able to avoid the diseases we see now, usually when it is too late, unless we visit doctors regularly and consciously, “says pharmacist Marius Lukštaraupis. According to him Cardiovascular diseases currently lead the world in terms of the number of people who suffer from them, and they can only be prevented in one way: constantly monitoring their condition and, if necessary, taking the necessary measures to improve health.

“High blood pressure, cholesterol, type II diabetes, gout are not acute health problems, that is, the ones I took and got sick one day. Their development is a chronic process that has been going on for decades. We do not feel these disorders do not occur immediately, but over a long period of time. The only way to notice the signs of these diseases in advance is to systematically check health and some of its indicators. Thus, for example, by periodically measuring pressure, we can see that it is not regular, it has increased and preventively prevents further deterioration of this indicator or more serious disease, “says M. Lukštaraupis.

Internal obesity is an invisible but serious problem.

Like the aforementioned increases in blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and gout, we cannot see or feel internal obesity.

“In the case of normal obesity, fat accumulates in the subcutaneous layer. In the case of internal obesity, they accumulate in the abdominal cavity, around the organs: heart, liver, “explains M. Lukštaraupis. He points out that the internal fat of every healthy person is always there: they protect the organs from external stimuli and act as a protective pillow, however, if they build up too much: the organs become too fat, it can lead to serious health problems, including the most common causes of death, vascular and cardiovascular diseases mentioned above, as well as diabetes and high cholesterol.

Just like during normal obesity, a person is mainly overweight, so in the case of internal obesity, the accumulation of fat around the organs increases first. Only, unlike the case of traditional overweight, it cannot be seen with the naked eye. Internal obesity, like normal obesity, can be caused by feelings of heaviness during physical activity. Still, it is a very common symptom that can also mean many other health conditions. It can be accurately determined by evaluating body composition. The device used for this study emits pulses that measure resistance and calculate the amount of fat inside the body according to the appropriate algorithms, “says the pharmacist.

Ability to self-assess body composition

Examination of body composition shows the distribution of adipose and muscular tissue in different parts of the body, i. segments: arm, leg, abdominal areas. Based on the data obtained during the study and when evaluated according to a standardized system, it is determined if a person has too much internal fat. “If the client who has been examined is diagnosed with internal obesity, we recommend that you contact specialists to find out if there are more serious health problems.” And first of all, we advise those people to adjust their lifestyle, to do more physical exercise, to review their diet, “says M. Lukštaraupis.

According to him, doctors also recommend the same primary treatment for detecting high blood pressure or developing type 2 diabetes. “Still, when they hear the call to adjust their lifestyle, many don’t take it seriously and ignore it. Meanwhile, If the advice of specialists were listened to, it would be possible to avoid more consequences: more serious ailments, which already require medical or even interventional treatment, “says the pharmacist. He remembers meeting with many active sports clients during his year of work in the pharmacy, They regularly use pharmacy tests, including assessment of body composition, namely for better health or physical indicators: to make sure you are exercising correctly, choosing the right loads or burning properly.

Meanwhile, Marius Lukštaraupis recommends that a body composition assessment be carried out for all people at risk, especially those with suspected metabolic syndrome, i. at risk of diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, and people over 40 whose metabolism slows down. This survey can be carried out free of charge at Benu pharmacies throughout July with Mano Rimi loyalty cards. After Health Month is declared in July, these cards also offer a discount on food supplements at these pharmacies.