Even though I've dieted and exercised down to a size 10, my belly is disproportionately large in proportion to the rest of me – I look four months pregnant. Aside from the fact that I'm self-conscious about it, I've also heard that storing fat around your middle put you at greater risk of cancer and heart disease. Is this really true? I go to the gym three times a week and do stomach curls every other day. I'm not overweight as far as the charts go, but I think I look rotund because of my big belly.

“Fat-around-the-middle” or visceral abdominal fat (VAT) is actually a different kind of fat from the kind we tend to deposit elsewhere, and it is particularly hard to shift. Commonly laid down by the body during chronic stress, its primary function is to protect our vital organs. However VAT has been linked with a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease and has been found to negatively influence hormone balance.

If you are experiencing any long-term stress it is important to try and address the source of this if possible. It may also be useful to assess your adrenal function with an Adrenal Stress Test available through nutritional therapists, see bant.org.uk to find a practitioner near you.

It is also vital to look at your diet, as this type of fat is commonly associated with blood sugar imbalance. This can occur if you eat too many sugary and refined carbs, drink caffeinated drinks, miss meals, or simply if your diet is too low in protein. Always choose wholegrains such as brown bread, pasta and rice or porridge oats, and try to include good quality protein at every meal including breakfast and any snacks to help slow sugar absorption e.g. nuts, seeds, beans, fish, eggs and chicken. Never be tempted to miss meals as this sends the body into famine mode where it will tenaciously hold on to any fat stores. Ensure that you exercise 3-5 hours a week as this boosts lean (i.e. fat-burning) muscle tissue.

Helpful supplements include Magnesium, B3 and Chromium which play a vital role in stress management and blood sugar balancing, try Biocare’s Sucroguard formula. If you have sweet cravings, l-Glutamine powder can be useful, try Glutamine Powder by Higher Nature. Essential fats are also vital for encouraging fat burning, and protein-rich spirulina can be helpful for curbing cravings, try Synergy Organic Spirulina available from xynergy.co.uk tel 08456 585858.

Stella New RSHom MBANT is a registered homeopath and nutritional therapist with clinics in Midhurst and Farnham, and technical consultant for Xynergy Health Products. Prior to her training she spent many years as an expedition leader, taking groups into some of the most challenging parts of the world, where she was inspired by the use of natural remedies for treating all manner of ailments. Email stella@stellanew.co.uk