Abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, produces several hormones and other substances that impact overall health. Specifically, regarding the provided reference, abdominal fat influences estrogen and testosterone levels.
Hormones Influenced by Abdominal Fat
The reference highlights the impact of abdominal fat on sex hormones, particularly in women:
- Estrogen: As women accumulate excess abdominal fat, their estrogen levels rise.
- Testosterone: Increased abdominal fat in women is associated with increased free testosterone levels. However, testosterone's effect is complex, as it can decrease fat mass but also promote insulin resistance, contributing to belly fat.
While the provided text doesn't explicitly state that abdominal fat produces testosterone, it implies that abdominal fat is associated with increased levels of this hormone.
The Interplay of Hormones and Abdominal Fat
The relationship between hormones and abdominal fat is bidirectional: hormones influence fat distribution, and fat tissue, in turn, impacts hormone levels. This creates a complex feedback loop that can significantly affect metabolic health.
