Good Health Is More Than Skin Deep

In the July 11th Time Magazine, there was a small article which I think made a great point – you can be lean and still be at risk for heart disease and diabetes due to fat.  What you can’t tell by weight and appearance is the person’s genetics.  Apparently, international researchers have found a specific variant of a gene that regulates where and how fat is stored.  People with the “lean gene” were storing fat deeper in the body around organs and in tissues.  This visceral fat is more dangerous and can impair bodily functions. 

So…the key point is that even healthy looking people need to monitor their cholesterol and glucose levels.  (I guess those advertisements for high cholesterol drugs were right!)