Muscle Fat Infiltration More Harmful Than Belly Fat, Increases Diabetes Risk

Fat's health risks extend beyond simple obesity. Physician Wang Si-heng warns that fat infiltrating thigh muscles, termed 'myosteatosis,' poses a greater threat to insulin sensitivity than visceral fat. This condition signifies bodily decline and elevates the risk of diabetes, sarcopenia, and falls.

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Muscle fat infiltration, known as myosteatosis, is more dangerous than visceral fat and increases the risk of diabetes and sarcopenia.

Research published in 'Diabetes' indicates that for obese individuals, the impact of fat in thigh muscles on insulin sensitivity is more severe than that of visceral fat. This 'marbling' of muscle not only looks unhealthy but actively disrupts the body's metabolism, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

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If humans' muscles also experience this, it is medically termed 'myosteatosis,' which simply means the body is degenerating.

While dieting can reduce body weight and subcutaneous fat, it is less effective for muscle fat infiltration. Exercise-based weight loss, however, can nearly double the reduction of both myosteatosis and visceral fat compared to dieting alone. Simply eating less may not address the deep-seated fat within muscles, leaving individuals at high risk for diabetes even if they appear thin.

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The destructive power of fat infiltration in thigh muscles on insulin sensitivity is even stronger than that of visceral fat.

To combat 'marbled' muscles, Wang recommends a four-pronged approach: 2-3 weekly strength training sessions focusing on large muscle groups, 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, sufficient protein intake (1.2-2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight daily depending on activity and weight loss goals), and breaking up prolonged sitting with short movement breaks every hour.

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Simply eating less can only reduce subcutaneous fat, but eliminating oil and fat deep within muscles requires movement.