Weight gain – especially belly fat – is a sign of chronic inflammation

Weight gain – especially around the abdomen – is a classic sign of chronic inflammation. This is bad because inflammation = disease.

Chronic inflammation – common these days – and weight gain are interconnected through the immune system, hormones and metabolic pathways (blood sugar and energy).

A diet high in sugar and refined carbs can cause it
Stress can cause it
Environmental toxins can cause it

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Insulin Resistance – Eating too much sugar and refined carbs overwhelm your body with sugar to the point your cells block insulin, the hormone that carries sugar inside. This Insulin Resistance causes inflammation ➡️ And inflammation in turn causes insulin resistance. It's a vicious cycle. Elevated insulin levels, of course, promote fat storage, especially in the abdominal region, leading to weight gain. Unless you deal with insulin resistance, you won't lose that belly fat
Stress – Stress causes high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. At first this can be anti -inflammatory, but over time it triggers inflammation. Elevated cortisol levels can influence fat distribution, leading to the deposition of fat in the abdominal region. This is often referred to as 'stress belly'. Stress management must be improved to get rid of belly fat
Toxins – Exposure to harmful toxins like environmental pollutants, pesticides, food additives and heavy metals trigger the immune system to release inflammatory molecules to neutralise and eliminate them. While this is essential for defence, ongoing toxin exposure can cause persistent low-level inflammation. This in turn contributes to more stress on your body and insulin resistance. Some toxins also disrupt hormone function negatively affecting appetite regulation, metabolism and fat storage, potentially leading to weight gain, especially around the belly

Other health issues that can grow belly fat include