The Skinny on the Best Kind of Body Fat
What is Brown Fat?
You’re probably familiar with white fat, the most prevalent fat throughout our body. White fat serves as our primary energy storage and protects us from falls, but it also significantly raises our risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Brown fat, on the other hand, is the lesser-known fat that burns calories to produce heat when we’re exposed to chilly conditions and helps regulate metabolism.
The Benefits of Brown Fat
Scientists from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School say brown fat can also enhance exercise performance and promote longevity. Exercise signals our brown fat to burn more calories because physical activity stimulates our sympathetic nervous system, also known as our "fight-or-flight" response.
Activating Brown Fat
Unfortunately, we don’t have much brown fat, and we can’t really make more. However, we can activate the brown fat we’ve got with a cold shower or an ice bath. Spicy foods, green tea, and apples have also shown potential. Lean people tend to have more brown fat than those who are overweight.
The Role of Exercise in Activating Brown Fat
One study found that brown fat activity rose among rodents that ran on a treadmill for six to eight weeks. The Rutgers scientists noted that much of the research on this topic focuses on exercise regulating brown fat and not the other way around. They highlighted a study that involved transplanting brown fat from genetically modified mice into regular mice. The recipients had better running endurance just three days after the transplant.
The Future of Brown Fat Research
The Rutgers researchers suggest developing treatments that mimic the benefits of brown fat to improve energy, weight maintenance, and heart health. They also highlighted the potential for brown fat to combat age-related muscle loss, fatigue, and metabolism declines by enhancing blood circulation and reducing cellular stress.
Conclusion
Brown fat is the better type of body fat, and understanding its benefits and how to activate it can lead to improved overall health and well-being. By incorporating cold showers, spicy foods, and regular exercise into our daily routine, we can boost our brown fat activity and reduce our risk of chronic diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I increase my brown fat levels?
A: Unfortunately, we can’t really make more brown fat, but we can activate the brown fat we’ve got with a cold shower or an ice bath.
Q: Is brown fat only found in certain areas of the body?
A: At birth, our brown fat is concentrated in our back, neck, and shoulders. As we age, those cells dissipate and disperse to small deposits around our neck, kidneys, adrenal glands, heart, and chest area.
Q: Can I get more brown fat if I’m overweight?
A: Lean people tend to have more brown fat than those who are overweight, but it’s worth noting that even small amounts of brown fat can have beneficial effects.
Q: Can I develop more brown fat by exercising?
A: Exercise signals our brown fat to burn more calories, and regular physical activity can increase brown fat activity.
