Skkyver Blog70525

Thin is in but just because you're skinny doesn't mean you're healthy. Researchers found that thin persons may also be obese due to hidden fat that may affect vital organs like the heart, liver or pancreas. This puts them at risk for deadly ailments like diabetes and heart disease.

"Being thin doesn't automatically mean you're not fat. The whole concept of being fat has to be redefined, said Dr. Jimmy Bell, a professor of molecular imaging at Imperial College in London.

Bell's team scanned about 800 people with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines and found that even those with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) had high levels of fat tissue. This was seen in 45 percent of women and in 60 percent of men. The subjects don't look fat but have high levels of fat inside their bodies. Without a big belly and other telltale signs of obesity, researchers said these people may mistakenly believe that they are healthy when, in fact, they're not.

"Just because someone is lean doesn't make that person immune to diabetes or other risk factors for heart disease," said Dr. Louis Teichholz, chief of cardiology at Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey.

Researchers said the people most likely to have lots of internal fat even though they appear thin are those who control their weight through diet but don't exercise. These people don't eat much to be fat but still have abundant reserves of fat and sugar in their bodies due to inactivity.

In people who are active in sports, the fat stays under the skin and doesn't mingle with other body organs. Bell said this would probably explain why fat Sumo wrestlers are healthier than the thin people who watch them.

"Normal-weight persons who are sedentary and unfit are at much higher risk for mortality than obese persons who are active and fit," said Dr. Steven Blair, an obesity expert at the University of South Carolina.

The fat could make the body to mistakenly store more fat inside organs like the liver or pancreas, which ultimately leads to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or heart disease. Indeed, experts have long known that fat but active people can be healthier than the skinny ones, added Stefan Anitei, Softpedia's science editor.

The bottom line? If you want to look thin, dieting may be enough. But if you want to be healthy, experts say there's no substitute for exercise. To maximize your results, take Phenocal, the safe and effective way to lose those extra pounds. Phenocal's special formula ensures that you stay in shape and get the results you want no matter what shape you're in. Check out http://www.phenocal.com for details.

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com