What Your Body Fat Says About Your Immune System and Inflammation Levels

Most people think of body fat in terms of looks or weight loss goals—but the truth is, your body fat levels play a critical role in how your immune system functions and how much inflammation exists inside your body.

In fact, not all fat is created equal — and having too much of the wrong kind of fat can silently drive chronic inflammation, suppress immune defenses, and increase your risk of illness, fatigue, and disease.

The good news? A DEXA scan can show you exactly where you stand—and help you make targeted changes that support better immunity and long-term health.

The Link Between Body Fat & Immune Health

Fat tissue is not just passive storage — it’s biologically active. It produces hormones, cytokines, and other signaling molecules that affect the immune system.

When body fat levels, especially visceral fat, are too high, it can trigger:

• Chronic low-grade inflammation
• Insulin resistance
• Hormonal imbalances
• Suppressed T-cell function
• Increased vulnerability to infections

On the flip side, having optimal levels of lean mass and minimal visceral fat can improve immune efficiency and reduce the burden of inflammation on your body.

Visceral Fat: The Dangerous Kind You Can’t See

Visceral fat is stored deep in the abdomen, wrapping around organs like the liver and pancreas. Unlike subcutaneous fat (the kind under your skin), visceral fat is metabolically active and inflammatory.

Excess visceral fat is linked to:

• Higher levels of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha
• Suppressed immunity and poor vaccine response
• Increased risk of autoimmune flare-ups
• Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels—a marker of systemic inflammation

You can be slim but still have high visceral fat. That’s why waist size or weight alone won’t tell the full story—but a DEXA scan will.

How a DEXA Scan Reveals the Hidden Risks

A DEXA scan in San Francisco gives you more than just a body fat percentage. It provides a complete view of your body composition, including:

• Visceral fat volume
• Fat distribution across your body
• Lean mass vs. fat mass
• Muscle imbalances or deficits
• Bone density (important for immune resilience)

This precision allows you to track inflammation risk over time, make data-informed decisions, and personalize your fitness, nutrition, and supplementation strategies.

How to Lower Inflammation by Reducing the Right Fat

Targeting visceral fat through intentional lifestyle changes can dramatically improve inflammation markers and immune function.

Here’s what works:

• Resistance training + cardio: Both help burn visceral fat while preserving muscle.
• High-protein, anti-inflammatory diet: Think omega-3s, leafy greens, berries, and lean meats.
• Stress reduction: Chronic cortisol elevation fuels fat storage and weakens immunity.
• Adequate sleep: Poor sleep increases cytokine activity and inflammation.
• Monthly or bi-monthly DEXA scans: To see if your interventions are actually working.

Your Body Fat Is Talking—Are You Listening?

If you’ve been feeling run-down, inflamed, or like something’s “off,” it may not be just stress or poor sleep—it could be your body composition silently undermining your immune system.

A DEXA scan gives you the data you need to fight inflammation from the inside out, prevent disease, and build a body that’s strong, healthy, and resilient.

Book Your DEXA Scan in San Francisco at Kalos Today

If you’re ready to take control of your health with the most accurate body composition analysis available, it’s time to book your DEXA scan at Kalos. Whether you’re looking to get lean, build muscle, improve performance, or optimize longevity, our advanced technology and expert guidance will help you get there.

‍Schedule your scan today at Kalos — your journey to data-driven fitness starts now.

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