How your weight can be a risk to your circulation

Worried that your weight might be affecting your health? You’re not alone.

According to recent government data, 64% of adults in England are obese or overweight. And carrying too much fat - especially around the middle - impacts our health in many ways, increasing the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Being obese or overweight can play a part in poor circulation, too.

Luckily, there are lots of achievable ways to lose weight - we’ll take a look at those later.

But first, let’s explore body fat and how it impacts health in more depth.

Types of fat

There are three types of fat cells in our body.

Essential fat is critical to normal bodily function and is found in the nerve tissues, bone marrow, brain and organs.
Subcutaneous fat is stored under the skin - too much makes us look overweight. It acts as insulation and stores energy to be used when needed.
Visceral fat (or belly fat) is stored around the organs within the abdomen. It can pose the greatest risk to our health.

Too much of any body fat is bad for your health. But visceral fat is more likely to raise your risk of serious health issues including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity and poor circulation

Carrying too much fat can have a negative effect on your circulation in these ways:

If your body is larger, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the extremities, such as your lower limbs.
Excess visceral fat is associated with insulin resistance, which increases the risk of diabetes. This, in turn, can negatively impact your circulation.
Excess fat - especially visceral fat - increases the risk of high cholesterol, which can cause fatty deposits that narrow your blood vessels.
Excess visceral fat can cause inflammation in the venous system, making it harder for blood to flow freely.

These factors may combine to cause blood vessels to narrow and lose elasticity, which can lead to poor circulation medically diagnosed as Peripheral Arterial Disease (or PAD). This should be diagnosed by your doctor. Revitive is a Circulation Booster® clinically proven to increase circulation. It is a registered medical device for people with Peripheral Arterial Disease affecting blood flow in the legs.

How do I know if I’m carrying too much fat?

Silly question, right? But it’s not quite as simple as looking the mirror.

Doctors often use BMI (Body Mass Index) to measure if someone is obese or overweight, and online calculators can help you work out your own BMI. It’s a great way of assessing if you’re carrying too much fat overall, but visceral fat can be harder to detect. Where your body stores fat is a clue. Being an apple shape with a big tummy and slimmer legs can mean more visceral fat.

And measuring your waist size is an easy way to get a rough idea if you’re carrying too much visceral fat. According to Heart Foundation Australia you are at risk for health problems such as heart disease and diabetes if your waist measures 80 cm (31.5 inches) or more for a woman or 94 cm (37 inches) or more for a man. Check out this handy tool to measure your BMI and waist to identify your health risk.

Ways to lose weight and relieve the symptoms of poor circulation

If you’re carrying too much fat - especially around the middle - it’s important to take action in order to reduce your risk of disease. Some simple lifestyle tweaks and using Revitive can help:

Keep moving
Exercise helps reduce both visceral and subcutaneous fat, and every bit of movement helps. Try taking the stairs instead of the escalator, going for a walk at lunchtime or getting off the bus one stop early. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.
Eat well
Avoid trans fats - found in meat, deep-fried and processed foods - and sugary choices. Opt instead for foods rich in calcium and vitamin D which may be linked to less visceral fat. Leafy greens, yogurt, and oily fish are good choices.
Speak to your GP
Seek advice from a health professional before starting a new diet or exercise programme.
Keep moving
Exercise helps reduce both visceral and subcutaneous fat, and every bit of movement helps. Try taking the stairs instead of the escalator, going for a walk at lunchtime or getting off the bus one stop early. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.
Eat well
Avoid trans fats - found in meat, deep-fried and processed foods - and sugary choices. Opt instead for foods rich in calcium and vitamin D which may be linked to less visceral fat. Leafy greens, yogurt, and oily fish are good choices.

Keep moving
Exercise helps reduce both visceral and subcutaneous fat, and every bit of movement helps. Try taking the stairs instead of the escalator, going for a walk at lunchtime or getting off the bus one stop early. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.
Eat well
Avoid trans fats - found in meat, deep-fried and processed foods - and sugary choices. Opt instead for foods rich in calcium and vitamin D which may be linked to less visceral fat. Leafy greens, yogurt, and oily fish are good choices.
Speak to your GP
Seek advice from a health professional before starting a new diet or exercise programme.
Keep moving
Exercise helps reduce both visceral and subcutaneous fat, and every bit of movement helps. Try taking the stairs instead of the escalator, going for a walk at lunchtime or getting off the bus one stop early. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.
Eat well
Avoid trans fats - found in meat, deep-fried and processed foods - and sugary choices. Opt instead for foods rich in calcium and vitamin D which may be linked to less visceral fat. Leafy greens, yogurt, and oily fish are good choices.

The benefits of using Revitive

Sedentary lifestyles can contribute to both weight gain and poor circulation. Diabetes sufferer David, 56, from the Isle of Wight, explains how his Revitive Medic Coach has helped combat his sedentary lifestyle.

He says: ‘I have a pretty sedentary job which involves sitting in front of a screen all day and wanted to find something to alleviate the problems it causes. My foot specialist mentioned Revitive and I haven’t had swollen ankles for eight months now. I know it’s working because I’m noticing the results.”

See if Revitive can help

References

How your weight can be a risk to your circulation

Worried that your weight might be affecting your health? You’re not alone.

Types of fat

Obesity and poor circulation

How do I know if I’m carrying too much fat?

Ways to lose weight and relieve the symptoms of poor circulation

The benefits of using Revitive

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