Good News

According to Jay Zagorsky, research scientist at Ohio State University's Center for Human Resource Research and co-author of the study, "Not only is there not a 'Freshman 15,' there doesn't appear to be even a 'college 15' for most students." Apparently, only about 10 percent of students put on that much weight and - even better - about ¼ actually lose weight in their first year.

Bad News

Comparing non-college young adults to freshmen, it appears that weight gain is tied to aging more than school. Both groups gained weight in the equivalent year, with students putting on about ½ pound more than their non-studious counterparts. An average of 3.5 pounds for men hitting the books; 3.0 pounds for the non-matriculators. (Women gained about a pound less than the men.)

Reasoning

It is believed that the reasons college-age youth put on weight - regardless of post-secondary pursuits - are the same. They've, frequently, moved away from home and are living on a tight budget. They can't afford more expensive healthy foods, like fruits and veggies. They also, finally away from Mom and Dad, don't have to eat said fruits and veggies, if they don't want to. And many of them don't want to.

Additionally, at this point in their lives, they may be less active than they were in high school. Few athletes go on to play college sports and there are minimal phys-ed requirements in college. Not to mention, non-collegiates have fewer opportunities for rigorous, organized athleticism.

Bottom Line

Eighteen- and nineteen-year-olds can expect to put on a few pounds once they get out of school. How many pounds will depend on diet, activity, and metabolic luck. Just one more reason to eat healthy and exercise - early, and often.

Me? I ate a lot of pasta al burro and had a wicked metabolism that first year of college. What about you?

Guggulsterones

Briefly, guggul is an extract from the resin of the mukul myrrh tree Commiphora mukul. It has been used, medicinally, since 600 BC for obesity, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory conditions. It is believed that the plant sterols, E- and Z-guggulsterone, are the bioactive compounds, the parts of the extract that interact with the body.

The Claims

Obviously, when use of a plant extract goes back 2600 years, there's bound to be a great deal of anecdotal evidence related to its medicinal properties. The idea of completely dismissing such information, out of hand, is as foolish as blindly accepting it. However, throwing in a little common sense and science is never a bad idea.

Now for the claims from one product [emphasis mine]:

Guggulsterones have been shown in studies to maintain normal blood lipid levels ¹⁰, support a fine skin texture by decreasing the appearance of blemishes, and optimize thyroid gland function (thus supporting ideal fat loss and body weight). And the best part… [product name] won’t strip away your muscle like other weight loss products.

We'll start with the study¹ that supposedly supports these claims. Luckily, for a change, I was able to access the full study on JAMA. (The documentation for the supplement references the abstract from the same study.)

Cholesterol

Recent research indicates that the guggul compounds affect two specific hormone receptors. One of those receptors is related to cholesterol metabolism, leading researchers to question whether guggulsterones might be an effective treatment for high cholesterol. Hence the purpose of the study.

While not large, only 103 people in the Philadelphia area, it was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants in this 8 week study were divided into three groups: low dose, high dose, and placebo. The low dose group was given 1000 mg tablets containing 2.5% standardized extract; the high dose group, 2000 mg tablets at the same concentration.

At the end of the trial, not only had the guggulsterones not reduced cholesterol levels, LDL-C (bad cholesterol) levels actually increased 4% and 5%, respectively. Additionally, HDL-C (good cholesterol) levels were depressed in both groups. With the placebo group, however, LDL-C decreased by 5%.

(A review of scientific evidence on the use of guggul for hyperlipidemia, performed by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration and published in 2005², agreed that the effects of guggulipid on cholesterol were not clear and there was "not enough scientific evidence to support the use of guggul for any medical condition.")

Thyroid Function

It was noted in the research, as in the claim for this supplement, that guggulsterones are reputed to have a positive impact on thyroid function. Within this clinical trial, due to its relationship with cholesterol, thyroid function was monitored and tested. "There were no significant changes in thyroid function as assessed by a sensitive third-generation TSH assay."

An article³ from the American Thyroid Association on thyroid and weight offers some guidance. The more active the thyroid, the higher a person's metabolism and, consequently, weight loss. It is possible to increase activity in the thyroid with hormone therapy. However, increasing thyroid function also increases appetite, potentially negating any benefit.

Furthermore, there may be significant negative consequences from the use of thyroid hormone to help with weight loss, such as the loss of muscle protein in addition to any loss of body fat. Pushing the thyroid hormone dose to cause thyroid hormone levels to be elevated is unlikely to significantly change weight and may result in other metabolic problems.

Muscle Loss

While, undoubtedly, dietary supplements do not (or should not) contain prescription-grade hormones, clearly the American Thyroid Association believes (see above quote) that altering thyroid function can lead to changes in muscles. It has been my experience that loss of muscle protein equals loss of muscle.

Conclusions

I'm no medical professional, although I do spend a good portion of my time studying health and wellness articles.

In the case of this diet pill ingredient, I have tried to use and review the supporting documentation. It seems to me that even the research cited doesn't support these claims.

What do you think?

1. Guggulipid for the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
   Philippe O. Szapary, Megan L. Wolfe, LeAnne T. Bloedon, Andrew J. Cucchiara, Ara H. DerMarderosian, Michael D. Cirigliano, Daniel J. Rader
   JAMA. 2003;290(6):765-772.
   doi:10.1001/jama.290.6.765
2. Guggul for hyperlipidemia: A review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration
   Catherine Ulbricht, Ethan Basch, Philippe Szapary, Paul Hammerness, Serguei Axentsev, Heather Boon, David Kroll, Levi Garraway, Mamta Vora, Jen Woods, Natural Standard Research Collaboration
   Complementary Therapies in Medicine - December 2005 (Vol. 13, Issue 4, Pages 279-290, DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2005.08.003)
3. Thyroid and Weight: <http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Thyroid_and_Weight.pdf>

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There is an interesting column in Yahoo! Health: Eat This, Not That that shares some wisdom, and ideas, about what we stuff in our faces. Not everything we think of as healthy is, actually.

The Bad News

Pancake Syrup & Alfredo

The obvious items, in a column called 10 Worst Supermarket Foods, are pancake syrup and a couple of Alfredo dishes. Nothing - home- or restaurant-made - is going to be good for your waistline when the two primary ingredients are butter and heavy cream. And, well, pancake syrup in all its sweet, maple-y goodness. Need I say more?

But the syrup, at least, offers alternatives. (Alfredo is just going to be deliciously loaded with calories, fat, and cholesterol.) The article provides a sugar-free syrup recommendation; there are plenty on the market.

You'll probably have to try a few, until you find one that you like. They don't all taste the same - trust me. Mrs. Butterworth's and Kroger offer decent options. But watch out - not all items labeled lite are. And some brands substitute sodium for ... I'm not sure what. Flavor?

Yogurt

I'd like to say that this one surprised me. We love yogurt, but manic carb-checking brought us up short. The 'bad' item in this article actually has 36g sugar and 3g saturated fat. There are desserts with less sugar.

We've become addicted to quite fond of the low-carb store-brand from Kroger. Before I continue - this is not all-natural, no-additives yogurt. It has quite a list of ingredients, most of which are added proteins.

Bottom line? It has only 80 calories, a net 3 carbs (3 from sugars and 1 from proteins), and only costs $0.44/each. Plus, just as important to us, it's creamy, rich, and tastes great. Not to mention there are a ton of flavors, with more popping up all the time.

This isn't yogurt, for yogurt's sake. But, if you eat a lot of it - better to choose one that isn't loaded with sugar and fat.

"Healthy" Entrees

We don't, generally, eat these. They tend to be small and overly expensive. Now, I see that they can also be very non-healthy.

Admittedly, I've given them a look; trying to come up with something quick for dinner isn't always easy. So, I did know that they almost all tend to be pretty carb-loaded. It's from the filler pastas and rices that they use.

Another issue is the sodium is so many of these meals. Anyone concerned about their health and weight will avoid loading up on salt, as well as sugars.

And let's not forget the saturated fat. Because these meals tend to have that, too.

The Good News

Dig out the apron and the cookware. We're going to 'fix' some of these bad foods.

Pancake Syrup & Alfredo

We've already discussed the syrup - lite and sugar-free options abound. If you can't give up pancakes, these are a great way to lower the impact of that breakfast.

For Alfredo, there are recipes - yes, you'll have to cook your own - for a healthier Alfredo. Although I love the stuff, this isn't something we eat; so I can't verify that this recipe is as good as it sounds. If you try it, let me know what you think.

Yogurt

This is something, now that I've read through the process, that I would love to try: homemade yogurt. There is - literally - nothing in it but milk and yogurt cultures. You can't get any healthier than that.

And, if you're not fond of plain, you can add any flavor that makes your taste buds happy - cocoa, bananas, pears, berries, lemon, granola. The only limits are your imagination - and the contents of your fridge and pantry.

Healthy Entrees

When my kids were little, their dad and I used to spend one day every other week (or so) making our own frozen dinners. It was actually great fun and eliminated the "What am I going to cook tonight?" issue. Plus, we knew what we were eating, since we were the ones that put it together.

By using leaner meats - ground turkey, instead of ground beef, for example - you can put a little bit of time and a whole lot of health into your meals. Anything that you can buy frozen is fair game: chili, casseroles, stews, soups.

Just like flavoring homemade yogurt, the only limits are your imagination. (If you're carb-watching, there's a great Recipe Forum at LowCarbFriends.com.)

There are healthy options at the store - depending on your health needs, quite a few.

Basically, look for fewer ingredients and more you can pronounce - the simpler, the better. Best of all? Don't buy pre-made; make it yourself.

You'll be happier and healthier - knowing exactly what you're eating.

Sibutramine

Brand names: Ectiva / Meridia / Raductil / Reductil / Sibutral

How It Works

Like SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft), SNRIs (Cymbalta, Effexor, Pristiq), and DRIs (Zyban, Ritalin, Cocaine), sibutramine keeps the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This appears to help cells in the brain better send and receive signals.

Blocking serotonin and norephedrine reuptake seems to improve mood, reduce anxiety and compulsive behaviors (OCD). The increased dopamine has a stimulant effect which is believed to improve mood, reduce fatigue and anxiety, and suppress appetite.

What It Does

Although an SNRI like Cymbalta, Meridia was never proven to be an effective antidepressant. Its ability to inhibit reabsorption of dopamine (similar to the actions of amphetamines) does make it effective for some people as an appetite suppressant.

Several sources indicate that patients who lost weight immediately while taking sibutramine were most likely to continue losing weight. It was suggested, however, that those who failed to lose 4 pounds during the first 4 weeks of treatment may be advised to discontinue Meridia.

Why It's a Problem

Blood Pressure

According to the original documentation for sibutramine (see Pharmacycode link below), "Meridia substantially increases blood pressure and/or pulse rate" in some users. The WARNINGS section recommended: a.) frequent blood pressure monitoring and b.) careful prescription, possibly not at all for patients with uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension. By August 2010, two months before Abbott voluntarily pulled it from the market, the drug was contraindicated for anyone with heart conditions or blood pressure issues.

Interactions

According to information on Drugs.com, 804 drugs interact with sibutramine. Of those 800+ medications, more than 200 have major interactions.

Naturally, other SSRIs, SNRIs, DRIs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, diet pills, and stimulants will increase the effects of Meridia. But many prescription and OTC allergy, cold, and migraine medications can also increase the risk of elevated pulse, blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.

If that weren't enough, sibutramine increases the bleeding risks associated with NSAIDs (aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Celebrex) and anticoagulants (Coumadin, Heparin). It may also add to the risk of emotional disturbances and suicidal thoughts associated with some central nervous system depressants.

Bottom Line

Now, this discontinued drug is showing up - illegally - in over-the-counter weight loss supplements. Sibutramine was risky enough, when patients knew what they were taking and were monitored by a physician. How much more dangerous will it be when people don't even realize they're taking it?

References:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin-norepinephrine_reuptake_inhibitor
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_reuptake_inhibitor
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine_reuptake_inhibitor
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000097/
• http://pharmacycode.com/fda/Sibutramine
• http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/sibutramine.html

These pill pushers (and I mean that in the kindest possible way) truly believe that enough people are willing to choke down 6 pills a day. Six pills with more than 30 ingredients and no documented health benefits, just hoping that - "You, too can lose a miraculous 24 pounds in 7 days." Good grief!

Every time I look at one of these clean-your-colon-and-lose-50-pounds supplements, I discover new and, heretofore, unknown (to me) leaves and seeds populating a 'new' cure-all pill. Just what good are Buchu leaves, anyway? Heck what are Buchu leaves?

Okay, I looked it up - couldn't stand it: Buchu is one common name for Agathosma species, a genus of more than 100 fragrant shrubs native to southern Africa. Two - Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata - are cultivated for their essential oils. However, if a pill bottle only lists 'Buchu leaves' as an ingredient - how do you know what you're getting?

A. betulina has a history of use for gastrointestinal and urinary ailments and adds a black currant flavor and smell to cosmetics, soaps, and foods. Agathosma crenulata , also prized for its fragrant oils, is not a popular food additive due to high levels of a compound (pulegone) that may be toxic. I repeat - how do you know what you're getting in that detox/diet pill?

There's also the question of whether you're getting enough - or too much. What is the RDA for potassium or, for that matter, chromium? What, exactly, happens to the kidneys when you take so many herbs that have diuretic properties?

Frankly, there are a lot of questions that I can't answer. And, for me, if I can't answer why and how, I can't see swallowing 6 mystery pills every day.

The ingredient that caught my eye was Eurycoma longifolia , a flowering plant native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Its bark and roots are used as an antimalarial, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, and aphrodisiac. Several published reports indicate that it also increases testosterone levels.

I found, after serious digging, some information about Eurycoma longifolia toxicity. None of it was based on human trials, but lemme tell ya - it wasn't good for the mice. Consistently, a dose of 0.43g/kg to 0.50g/kg caused increased weights of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and testes - and death. Depending on the source, 50%-90% of the mice died.

Frankly, I'd call that one doozy of a side effect. But, hey, what do I know?

Hormone Levels

Human growth hormone deficiencies are real. They happen when children don't produce enough or after removal of the pituitary gland in young adults. At that point, injections - prescribed and administered by a physician - are a logical next step.

However, the natural decline in hormone production associated with aging is not a deficiency. It does not need to be reversed. And attempting to do so may actually be detrimental.

Studies have shown (in animals and humans) that individuals who naturally produce more hGH are more likely to die at a younger age. While animals with disorders that suppressed production of growth hormones experienced a longer lifespan. The body knows when it needs growth hormones and it knows when it doesn't.

Who am I to argue with Mother Nature?

Muscle Mass

The natural production of growth hormone in our youth is designed to build muscles to support our growing skeletal system. (One reason doctors don't like to see teens on fasting diets - it messes with muscle development at a critical time in their lives.) Which brings me to the other heavily touted 'benefit' of hGH supplementation - increased muscle mass.

A small, brief study involving several men over age 61 did show an increase in muscle mass in some of the men. But - and this is a big BUT - there was no corresponding increase in muscle strength. Just what we all need, big biceps and the inability to lift a coffee cup. Ooh yeah! Sign me up!

Supplements

Then, there's the safety and effectiveness of supplements. As an unregulated industry, manufacturers can say (almost) anything about their products without fear of reprisal. Unless, and until, they claim to treat or cure specific conditions or disorders, it's all legal.

This is the group telling you that their products are safe. These are the people who say "Lose 10 pounds in 7 days!" or "Look 10 years younger in just 2 weeks!" They don't care that growth hormone supplements are absorbed in the digestive tract and have absolutely no effect on hormone levels. As long as they make their money, it's not their problem.

Add to that - there is no way to know exactly what's in each happy little pill. Sure, the bottle has a list of ingredients. But - without regulation - manufacturers can (and do) throw anything they like in there, in any amounts. (How many supplements have been recalled lately because they contained illegal prescription drugs?)

Bottom Line?

Ponce de Leon spent his entire life searching for the fountain of youth. He never found it - because it doesn't exist.

If these products did what they claim - it would be all over the 6 o'clock news. Reputable retailers would be lining their shelves (and their pockets). And this miracle cure wouldn't have to sneak into the country in crates marked "Made in China."

Results of a recent study confirm that moms' mealtime tactics are tied to kids' eating habits. But, oddly enough, it may be in the reverse direction. It isn't necessarily what moms do that creates the problems. Just as likely, moms become pushy and controlling in response to what the kids are eating or not eating at the table and perceptions of the child's weight.

Mothers who think their child may be too thin, may start forcing more time at the table or larger portions that must be finished. When the child is believed to be overweight, moms may strictly limit calories or foods that are perceived as unhealthy. In both cases, children tend to rebel - refusing to eat or overeating at every opportunity.

All I know, from personal experience, is that the more I was forced, the more I didn't want to eat. Probably why I weighed 120lbs (or less) and was nearly 6 feet tall as a high school senior. And why, to this day, I am seriously resistant to "You have to eat."

It may be a control issue, where what and how much we eat is the only part of our lives where we have absolute control. Or we may simply be stubborn souls who hate being told what to do. Either way, conflict at meal time is seriously bad for everyone's digestion.

The review was for chromium, a mineral that we need in small amounts and get from foods like broccoli, potatoes, grape juice, garlic, and orange juice. It is believed to help combat insulin resistance, which is a contributing factor for development of type 2 diabetes. Although, according to the National Institutes of Health, research is inconclusive.

What caught my attention was in the conclusion: not recommending a diet pill whose main ingredient is chromium. It's a valid theory, since there is also no conclusive research that the effect on blood sugar also contributes to weight loss. So, good review, right? Yes and no.

You see, the number-two weight loss pill on the site was something that contained 500mcg of chromium as the main ingredient.

Calories

In a nutshell, the Twinkie-diet worked for the professor because he was cutting calories. With the exception of water and air, (and plain tea and coffee) everything we put into our bodies provides some type of 'calorie.' Good or bad isn't really the point of this discussion.

We need calories to feed our cells; to make muscles work and organs function. But how hungry are those cells? Just how many calories do we need?

Calorie Needs - by Age & Activity

Based on 2005 USDA/HHS guidelines, Estimated Calorie Requirements:
For adult females (sedentary to very active): ages 19-30, 2,000 to 2,400 calories; ages 31-50, 1,800 to 2,200 calories; and ages 51+, 1,600 to 2,000-2,200 calories.
For adult males (sedentary to very active): ages 19-30, 2,400 to 3,000 calories; ages 31-50, 2,200 to 2,800-3,000 calories; and ages 51+, 2,000 to 2,400-2,800 calories.

Okay. I'm female, 51+, and fairly sedentary - so my requirements are estimated at about 1,600 calories/day. But does this make sense? Is this a good number?

Ideal Body Weight (IBW)

General guidelines are just that, general. In my opinion, to be of real use they need to be a bit more fine-tuned. Let's start by seeing what my ideal weight is. From there, we can look at what calories I need to maintain / achieve that weight.

Published by the American Diabetes Association in 1964, The Hamwi Formulas only look at height and body frame:
For men: 106 lb for the first 5 ft; 6 lb for each inch over 5 ft
For women: 100 lb for the first 5 ft; 5 lb for each inch over 5 ft
Small frames: subtract 10%
Large frames: add 10%

For me, 6-feet tall and 'small-boned', that's 100 + 60 - 16 (10%) = 144 IBW. Admittedly, I haven't been measured recently and, at my age, am probably a little shorter than that. But, it's a ballpark number that seems to be fairly consistent with when I feel my best.

Calorie Needs - by Weight & Activity

Based on my age, the USDA/HHS chart puts my calorie needs at 1,600/day. According to Dr. Hamwi, my 'ideal' weight is 144 pounds. Do those two numbers correspond? There are a few ways to find out.

• Standard calculations say:
  Sedentary or Obese = IBW x 10
  Low Activity or 55+ = IBW x 13
  Moderate Activity = IBW x 15
  Strenuous Activity = IBW x 18

  For me: 144 x 13 = 1,872 seems high; 144 x 10 = 1,440 seems low. Maybe split the difference at 1,656 calories/day?

• A two step process: calculating BMR and applying an activity-based formula is a little more involved.
  1. This BMR calculator shows for me (53yo, female, 6 ft, 144 lbs) a BMR of 1,370. This means that I, without getting out of bed or raising my heartrate, will (theoretically) burn 1,370 calories/day just being alive. (Here's the BMR formula, if you want to calculate manually.)
  2. Once you have your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), applying the Harris Benedict Equation tells you how many calories you can consume, per day, to maintain your IBW at your activity level:
     Sedentary (little or no exercise) = BMR x 1.2
     Lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) = BMR x 1.375
     Moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) = BMR x 1.55
     Very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) = BMR x 1.725
     Extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) = BMR x 1.9
     

  Taking my BMR and the formula gives me 1,370 x 1.2 = 1,644 calories/day to achieve or maintain my Ideal Body Weight of 144 lbs.

---

Conclusion

General or specific, these guidelines, calculators, and formulae seem to pretty much agree. Given that they use different types of information to draw their conclusions, that's rather amazing. It appears, regardless of method, that I should be taking in about 1,630 calories per day ((1,600 + 1,656 + 1644) / 3 = 1,633.33) if I want to reach my ideal weight.

Unfortunately, it also looks as though I'm about six pounds away from that ideal. Could be much worse; in fact, I fully expected it to be. But we still have the holidays to survive and I love Christmas cookies and candies. {sigh}

What do I do now? One calorie, two calorie, three calorie, ... oh, my.

Looking at the search results shows that, for the information superhighway, weight is synonymous with weight loss. (Well, except for the site that calculates what you'd weigh on Venus or Mars.) The message is that everyone looking for weight information is interested in the latest greatest pills, potions, and plans to get skinny.

Frankly, as the artist intended, neither silhouette is a healthy ideal. But one shape is routinely reviled; while the other is draped in designer rags and celebrated as 'beauty.' Society tells the woman on the left that she won't be happy, loved, or beautiful until she looks like the woman on the right. Horse hockey!

Companies and websites prey on our innate desire to fit in, to be accepted, and to be considered attractive. But there is a huge difference between wanting the 'right' jeans or the 'cool' cell phone and trying to starve down to a BMI of 0. (A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.)

It's that balance that we've lost sight of. In my case, at almost 6 feet tall and (most days) about 150 pounds, I'm considered well within the healthy range. In fact, I could gain 25 pounds and still be 'technically' healthy. My small frame couldn't carry the extra weight, but it would still be considered a 'good' weight.

I don't think that anyone's goal should be to emulate a small percentage of the population that lives an unnatural existence, in the spotlight of popular culture. We need to learn how healthy looks and feels - it's different from person to person. And we need to revise what is, and isn't, beautiful.

When we can love ourselves and each other honestly, in all our shapes and sizes, perhaps we won't need to comfort ourselves with food. Or starve to death to find acceptance.

Most recently, it was high insulin production and reduced estrogen. Not together, mind you; but two different articles. The question is: is there any good news in all of this information?

From previous research, I know that stress increases production of cortisol which shoots fat to the belly like an arrow to a target. Alcohol and smoking kick up cortisol, as well. Looks like there's a lot of meditation and nicotine substitutes in my future.

Then, we have the blood sugar factor. I was looking at low-GI diets to help control Mark's glucose levels. What I found was that they also help people (like me) who over-produce insulin - another contributor to production of belly fat.

Now, none of these issues are gender-specific. In fact, they more frequently affect men. That is - until menopause. At this point, women lose any advantage they had because of reduced estrogen and a more 'manly' biology.

Then, there's the extra layer of fat that women have. Actually, that's a bit of a myth. Women don't have an extra layer, just a thicker layer, of fat under our skin. And it isn't isolated to any one spot. Nonetheless, it sure feels like it's all living just below my belly button.

With all of that good news, I haven't even gotten to the best part. Although all of the above contribute to development of belly fat, there isn't much you can do to remove it - specifically. It requires all over fat loss, though reducing cortisol, toning abs, etc. might just keep more fat from piling on.