Why visceral fat is dangerous
It's metabolically active. It releases inflammatory signals directly into the liver via the portal vein.
It's tightly linked to insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and low HDL — the metabolic-syndrome cluster.
How to screen for it without a scan
Waist-to-height ratio over 0.5 is the strongest cheap signal for excess visceral fat.
Waist over 35 in (women) or 40 in (men) is the older NIH cutoff.
Weight training, sleep, and cutting refined carbs move visceral fat faster than they move total body weight.
