Health

Can Fat Burn Fat? It Can If It’s Brown

April 8, 2009
By J White

Scientist are intrigued by a type of fat that acts like a furnace to burn calories and generate heat. This fat called “brown fat” is found in animals that are unable to shiver to keep warm.

Human infants also are unable to shiver their muscles to stay warm, so they possess it as well. However, scientist believe that infants lose their brown fat as they grow older since they no longer need it once the shivering response kicks in.

According to new research though, this is not the case. The researchers article, appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, reports that nearly every adult has areas of brown fat that, when activated by the cold, can burn huge numbers of calories.

The report also stated that the percentage of brown fat was lower in obese men when compared to their thinner counter parts. It was also found that younger men had larger amount than older.

As for the practical merits of the study, researchers hope that the findings will stimulate resarch to find safe ways to activate the fat.

As of now, there is a known herbal supplement, ephedra, that contains epinephrine, which is known to stimulate the brown fat, but has dangerous side effects. Plus, it is banned in the U.S.

Until then, your only option for now is to ask your butcher if you can spend some time in his freezer.

————————

Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/health/research/09fat.html

Share and Enjoy: