My old mentor, John Kitkoski used to tell me that inflammation and excessive oxidation were the two bad boys when it came to health problems. Oxidation he said, could cause people to gain weight much like a rusty nail (which is oxidized) weighs more than the non-rusty nail. Inflammation caused problems because of the added stress around the tissues infected. More and more scientists have come to the conclusion that these two factors, especially inflammation are major players in a number of diseases and health issues.
In the May 31st issue of Nature (pg 525-7), author Kendall Powell, a science writer out of Broomfield, Colorado, talks about the many issues surrounding obesity, fat distribution and ill health. It turns out that fat, especially the type that surrounds organs like the liver (known as visceral fat) and is found in both the obese and supposedly lean individuals, send out signaling molecules that can increase damage to the organs. Subcutaneous fat, also known as cellulite is not as metabolically active and presents less of a problem.
The upshot of the article is that it is the distribution of fat more than just the presence of it that is critical. I for one, after reading the article have a greater appreciation of the issue and will be working hard to remove the “accumulation” I have around my waist due to inactivity due to my problem with a torn Achilles tendon and torn rotator cuff.