Visceral fat is a type of body fat that lies deep within your abdominal walls and surrounds your organs. It is different from subcutaneous fat, which is fat that’s stored just beneath your skin and is the kind that you can pinch between your fingers. Visceral fat is actually more dangerous to your health than subcutaneous fat. It can increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as diabetes, prediabetes, and heart disease.

Visceral fat is extremely receptive to exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes that help maintain a moderate weight. With each pound that you lose, you lose some visceral fat. As often as possible, eliminate processed, high sugar foods from your diet and include more lean proteins, vegetables, and complex carbs, such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa. You should also try to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day, making sure to include both cardio exercises and strength training.

There are no specific ingredients or materials associated with visceral fat. However, researchers have identified a host of chemicals that link visceral fat to a surprisingly wide variety of diseases. There is no way to know where and how much visceral fat is hidden in your body without expensive imaging tests. The only way to definitively diagnose visceral fat is with a CT or MRI scan, which are expensive and time-consuming procedures.