Minimus
04-09-2009, 16:30
Researchers discover presence of brown fat in adults.
Posted by Peter at MSN Health on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 3:31 PM
Baby sitting on the floor ((c) Getty Images/Gulf Images RF)Brown fat, a so-called "good" fat that until recently was believed to disappear from our bodies after childhood, helps adults burn calories, according to a study published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. In contrast to white fat, which stores energy, brown fat uses energy, and in theory can help us lose weight. Brown fat, which is mostly found around the neck, burns more calories when people are in chilly environments to help maintain body temperature.
How much of this beneficial fat do you have?
The younger you are the more likely you are to have larger amounts of brown fat. You're also likely to have more of this "good" fat if you are thin and have normal blood glucose levels. But adults who take beta-blockers for high blood pressure have reduced amounts of brown fat.
"There has been a long debate as to whether brown fat exists in adult humans and whether it was important physiologically," said C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, in a press release. "This study demonstrates that it is both present and appears to be physiologically important in terms of body weight and glucose metabolism. We hope this opens up a new therapeutic area for obesity and type 2 diabetes by modifying the activity of brown fat." Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
The researchers hope to find a way to stimulate brown fat growth, which may help adults maintain a healthy weight and improve glucose metabolism.
One day, perhaps, a brown fat pill will help us burn extra calories. But for now, I think I'll accomplish the same by going for a run.
Posted by Peter at MSN Health on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 3:31 PM
Baby sitting on the floor ((c) Getty Images/Gulf Images RF)Brown fat, a so-called "good" fat that until recently was believed to disappear from our bodies after childhood, helps adults burn calories, according to a study published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. In contrast to white fat, which stores energy, brown fat uses energy, and in theory can help us lose weight. Brown fat, which is mostly found around the neck, burns more calories when people are in chilly environments to help maintain body temperature.
How much of this beneficial fat do you have?
The younger you are the more likely you are to have larger amounts of brown fat. You're also likely to have more of this "good" fat if you are thin and have normal blood glucose levels. But adults who take beta-blockers for high blood pressure have reduced amounts of brown fat.
"There has been a long debate as to whether brown fat exists in adult humans and whether it was important physiologically," said C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, in a press release. "This study demonstrates that it is both present and appears to be physiologically important in terms of body weight and glucose metabolism. We hope this opens up a new therapeutic area for obesity and type 2 diabetes by modifying the activity of brown fat." Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
The researchers hope to find a way to stimulate brown fat growth, which may help adults maintain a healthy weight and improve glucose metabolism.
One day, perhaps, a brown fat pill will help us burn extra calories. But for now, I think I'll accomplish the same by going for a run.