Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Get Your Body to Eat Its Own Fat
- The body needs fat to function properly
- How long does food turn into fat in the body?
- Foods that can make the body fat fast
- Foods containing processed starch
- Foods with added sugar
- Processed meat
Medical Video: How to Get Your Body to Eat Its Own Fat
Fat deposits in the body are the root of various serious diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and cancer that can be prevented. Seeing these health risks can not be underestimated, it is very important that you understand how the body converts the food you eat to become fat and eventually gain weight.
The body needs fat to function properly
The body needs energy to carry out every function without stopping every day. Energy is derived from food. Carbohydrates are the fastest source of energy available, making it the first choice, while food fat functions as a backup.
After food enters the body, the digestive system will break it down to get temporary nutrients, the rest is absorbed by the body into the bloodstream in the form of glucose, aka blood sugar. The body then automatically sends a signal to the pancreas gland, one of the digestive organs, to produce the hormone insulin. With the presence of this insulin hormone, glucose can enter the body's cells to be converted into energy.
However, not all body cells will use glucose as energy. Remaining unused energy will be stored in the liver and muscles as a backup to be used later, when there is no food that enters the body to prevent you from lacking energy. This calorie storage is known as glycogen. After the glycogen calories are used for energy, the body then activates the calories stored in fat cells, known as triglycerides, to replenish the reduced calories of glycogen.
Aside from being a backup energy source, fat also helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins. If your body lacks fat, then absorption of vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K becomes very limited. Finally, some organs cannot work properly. Fat also functions to maintain body temperature to stay normal.
That is why fat is very important for the body. So, fat actually doesn't always have a bad influence on the body. It's just that, if the amount exceeds the needs, this is the problem.
How long does food turn into fat in the body?
The body starts storing energy or calories from food as fat in four to eight hours from the beginning of your meal.
That is why you also have to compensate for the many servings of food that enter with regular physical activity to burn calories. The aim is to avoid too much fat deposits in the body that are dangerous. Eating too much but rarely exercising can cause weight gain.
You are also required to limit the intake of fatty foods. Because, or a gram of fat from food has 9 calories, which is twice the amount of calories in carbohydrates and protein.
Quoted from Live Strong, the Mayo Clinic recommends getting calories from fat by 20 to 35 percent. For example, the need for your calories is around 1,800 calories per day, so you can get as much as 40 to 70 grams of fat per day.
Why can't you eat excessive fat? This is because the liver will convert excess glucose into triglycerides or commonly known as body fat reserves. Too much fat in the body can increase your risk of experiencing various degenerative diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Foods that can make the body fat fast
Every food that enters the body can basically gain weight. Even so, some types of food have a bad reputation for health because it quickly increases blood sugar levels and a little nutritional content. Some of these foods, such as:
Foods containing processed starch
Starch is processed flour, which is usually found in fried potato chips, pasta, bread, or biscuits. These foods if eaten in excess will cause very rapid weight gain. The fiber content can slow digestion so that it is quickly converted to glucose and increases blood sugar and insulin levels.
Foods with added sugar
Who doesn't like candy, ice cream, or cake? Although it tastes sweet and delicious, these foods make weight gain quickly because the effect is the same as foods containing processed starch. In addition, energy drinks and sodas also contain additional sugars that increase fat levels, especially in belly fat.
Processed meat
Smoked meat, sausages, and other processed meats contain lots of saturated fat which risks increasing weight. These foods also cause a person to develop heart disease, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure if eaten excessively.
To maintain an ideal body weight, you must remain active. When you continue to be active, fat will continue to be used as energy to the fullest. Then, also pay attention to your food intake. Start by multiplying vegetables and fruits and nuts that also contain good fats for the body. You can still eat sweet or processed foods, but don't overdo it, huh.
