CO2: Flat Belly Secret?
- Northwestern University study: A small study (16 participants) showed that injecting carbon dioxide into subcutaneous belly fat (the pinchable kind) temporarily reduced fat for up to 6 months.
- Mechanism: Carbon dioxide injections are thought to cause fat cell leakage, which is then removed by the lymphatic system. The study did not directly measure this mechanism.
- Limitations: The study was small, involved only individuals with normal or overweight BMI (not obese), and the effects were temporary.
- Safety Concerns: Injecting gas into tissues carries potential risks if it enters the bloodstream.
- Expert Opinion: While carboxytherapy might have a niche role for small, localized areas of subcutaneous fat, more research is needed. It’s not a substitute for diet and exercise.
- Visceral Fat: The text emphasizes the importance of addressing visceral fat (deep abdominal fat) through diet and exercise, as it’s linked to health risks and cannot be treated by procedures like liposuction, freezing, or heating.
- Alternative Treatments: Liposuction is presented as a more established option for addressing localized subcutaneous fat.