What I Tell My Patients About Belly Fat + How To Get Rid Of It

Belly fat impacts more than just how you look in a swimsuit. Today, about 69% of American adults are overweight — leading to an increased risk for numerous chronic illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.

Many hormones contribute to belly fat, but the most powerful is insulin: Elevated insulin levels signal your body to store belly fat. Eventually your cells become insulin resistant, and your body starts to hold on to that spare tire for dear life.

So in order to trim belly fat, you need to produce less insulin. And the number one way to do that? Reduce your sugar intake.

Sugar — especially in processed, junky foods — hijacks your brain chemistry and metabolism to create insulin resistance and all its repercussions.

Plus, unlike other calories, sugar scrambles your normal appetite controls. It's one reason why you can’t stop reaching for your favorite comfort food.

Unfortunately, Americans are overdosing on sugar, consuming an average of 22 to 30 teaspoons each day — and the repercussions are showing up as lethal belly fat.

The good news is you have the power to reverse belly fat and diabesity. I’ve seen thousands of patients do just that.

Nutrient-rich foods—the kind nature produces, not a big factory—keep you satisfied. And as a result, you’ll eat less.

Aim for lots of green vegetables, and include protein in every meal since it keeps us fuller longer.

Chronic stress causes your brain to shrink—and your belly to grow.

In fact, chronically elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol can lead to increased blood sugar, cholesterol, depression and dementia. And high cortisol levels also contribute to the stubborn belly fat in people with insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes who crave sugar and carbs.

You often crave the very foods you’re allergic to. And while eliminating them isn’t easy, after a few days without them, many patients discover renewed energy, reduced cravings and symptoms, and shrinking belly fat.

Lack of sleep actually drives sugar and carb cravings by affecting your appetite hormones. In other words, when you haven't had sufficient sleep, those cookies your coworker brought in become impossible to ignore.

And one study found that even a partial night of poor sleep could contribute to insulin resistance. Poor sleep can also adversely impact fat-regulating hormones like leptin and ghrelin.

Combined with a nutritious diet, exercise can become powerful medication to prevent diabesity and trim your belly. After all, studies have shown that interval training and weight resistance can improve fat loss.