Freeze the Belly Fat

Weight Management | December 29, 2010 | Share

In this age where looking good is all important, the most popular rejuvenation method remains dieting; even more than Botox and implants. Low fat, low carbs, sugar-free; you name it and most Americans have tried it – some even going to the extreme of subsisting on greens like sprouts and broccoli. The problem with diets, however, is that they are rarely time bound or permanent. Almost as soon as you quit them, the pounds start coming back on. Sure the seriously obese can resort to surgical procedures like liposuction, but these are not entirely risk free.

Up to now, conventional wisdom has been to burn away excess fat, either through restricted intake or a vigorous workout. Even heat-based lasers have been tried. Now, however, scientists have discovered that a more effective way to get rid of extra fat is to freeze it.

An innovative machine, named Zeltiq, has just come on the market, which was developed by researchers at Harvard University and the Massachusetts General Hospital. It uses a cooling method called Cryolipolysis, which targets and breaks down fat cells and chills them down to a temperature of 00 Celsius; which is the freezing point of water. It does this by gradually extracting heat from fat cells that lie just beneath the skin. Freezing the fat cells kills them without affecting the skin or muscles. The dead cells are then removed naturally by the body through the liver. It is a non-invasive procedure and does not require conventional surgery.

Effective and painless as the procedure is, don’t expect instant results. It takes two to three weeks for the dead fat cells to leave the body through the urine; and only then will the results be visible. But since the fat is removed naturally, it is safe and there are no side effects. Of course, cryolipolysis being a relatively new procedure, I’m not sure it is covered by your health insurance. And for those looking to save medical costs, I would not recommend immersing yourself in a bath tub filled with ice cubes.

Garima Obrah