Believe It
For years, there has been a debate in
society, and in the medical community: Can a person be overweight and healthy?
We have been led to believe that this is an impossible combination.
.
However, there has been a recent discovery
in the world of science that refutes this. In 2013 the “fat gene” was
discovered. It is called IRX3 and it regulates a
person’s metabolism and energy.
While there are often many factors to a person being
overweight, including lack of exercise, unhealthy eating patterns, the IRX3
gene proves that there is also a genetic factor to being overweight. A person’s
ability-or inability-to store fat in their body, regulate their metabolism,
their energy, is all influenced by the IRX3 gene.
Now that we know of the existence of the “fat gene”, that
again begs the theory: Can a person be overweight and healthy? The answer is
yes.
Researchers have discovered what has been termed as
metabolically healthy obesity. In a recent article in the New York Post,
reporter Susannah Cahalan wrote:
“…in general, when body fat increases, often so
do muscle mass and strength, necessary in battling chronic disease. This leads
to the essential divide between being “fat and being fat and fit.”
She then cited the work of cardiologist Carl J. Lavie,
stating that…
“… cardiologist Carl J. Lavie argues that we
need to rethink what we call “fat” and what we consider “healthy.”
…Many
heavier people with more body fat who remain as active as possible throughout
the day can be fitter — and healthier — than thin people who sit all day.”
Here is a link to her article:
In a recent article from Fitness Magazine, reporter Peg Rosen
reported that a recent study...
“….published in the European Heart Journal, showed that
when obese people are metabolically healthy — which means their blood pressure,
cholesterol, blood sugar and other indicators fall within a healthy range —
they are at no greater risk of dying from heart disease or cancer than those
who are of normal weight.”
Her article can be found here:
It has been scientifically proven that an overweight person
can be healthy. That person can have a normal blood glucose level, normal
cholesterol level, normal blood pressure, normal organ function, while being overweight.
Do you believe it? It is true. I am living proof.
For those who have never seen me, here is a picture of me
from a recent photo shoot……
I consider myself overweight, but I also consider myself
healthy. Now I have proof.
I recently underwent a battery of medical tests. I had my
blood pressure taken, as well as some blood tests. The blood tests checked my
heart, HDL and LDL cholesterol (or, “healthy” and “bad” cholesterol), blood
glucose (sugar found in blood), triglycerides (which is a type of fat found in
blood), blood platelets (the parts in blood that helps blood clot), kidney
function, liver function, thyroid function, and more.
All of my test results came out normal. Every test I listed
above showed me to be in the low category, which is normal. In other words, I
am overweight, and I am healthy.
I agree with Dr. Lavie. We need to redefine what is
considered “fat” and what is considered “healthy.”
A person can be both
overweight and healthy. Myth shattered. Believe it.
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