New Delhi, December 8 (IANS). Belly fat is not limited to just saying ‘the stomach has come out’. There could be many reasons behind this. The fat deposited above and below the navel is of different types and the reasons for its formation are also different.
Fat in the upper abdomen, called visceral fat, accumulates mainly due to stress and increased cortisol hormones. Drinking too much tea-coffee, staying awake till late night, eating fatty foods and gas-acidity increase it. This fat can become a major cause of diseases like heart, high BP and diabetes.
At the same time, lower belly fat is associated with hormonal imbalance, less active lifestyle and weak digestion. Estrogen imbalance in women often increases it and in men, sitting and working and taking heavy food at night increases it. This can increase problems like constipation, bloating, backache and fatigue.
It is said in Ayurveda that upper level indicates Pitta-Vata imbalance and lower fat indicates Kapha accumulation, but the good thing is that it can be controlled. Drinking lukewarm water 1 hour before sleeping at night helps in reducing gas and fat in the lower stomach. Drinking water of cumin, coriander and fennel on an empty stomach in the morning reduces cortisol and the fat above starts melting rapidly. A 5-minute ghee massage around the navel reduces bloating and helps in reducing lower abdominal fat.
Sitting in Vajrasana for 5-10 minutes after meals during the day, and doing Anulom-Vilom Pranayam to reduce stress is also effective in reducing upper abdominal fat. Eating light dinner before 8 pm puts the stomach in detox mode and reduces fat in the lower abdomen.
Ayurveda also states that Trikatu churna, Triphala and raw papaya speed up digestion, reduce bloating and help burn stubborn fat.
–IANS
PIM/DKP
