In contrast to white fat, brown fat, which is typically located in the neck region, consumes energy rather than stores it.
To be able to decipher brown fat, we must first understand the types of fats found in our bodies.
Essential fat is necessary for survival and physiological activities. It is found in many tissues throughout the body and is required for proper hormone action, particularly reproductive hormones.
Brown fat helps to keep the body temperature stable. Brown fat, unlike other fat types, produces heat when it burns calories, making it a viable target for weight loss and obesity prevention efforts.
The most abundant type of fat in the body is white fat, which stores energy. It also works as insulation, helping to control body temperature, as well as cushioning and protecting organs.
Beige fat shares properties with both white and brown fat. It burns calories similarly to brown fat but is less plentiful in the body.
Subcutaneous fat is situated directly beneath the skin. It is what you can “pinch” on your body, and while it provides insulation and energy storage, excessive amounts can be unsightly and may signal an increased risk of certain health disorders.
Visceral fat accumulates in the abdominal cavity near vital internal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. High levels of visceral fat have been linked to an increased risk of significant health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and some malignancies.
Body fat, particularly brown fat, may have more benefits for you than you realize. For example, brown fat can assist prevent diabetes. Yes, it is true.
According to a Cell Metabolism study, people with more brown fat had less blood sugar changes and so had a lower risk of getting diabetes.
In addition, newborns have more brown fat, which helps control their body temperature. However, as we become older, the amount of brown fat in our bodies gradually decreases.
Recent research suggests that people can stimulate their brown fat by exposing themselves to chilly temperatures. A study found that those who slept in a somewhat cold room (about 19 degrees Celsius) had up to a 40% increase in both the amount and activity of their brown fat.
Sleeping under warmer temperatures, around 27 degrees Celsius, resulted in a drop in brown fat levels. Surprisingly, cold showers had no significant effect on brown fat activation.
Another natural way to increase brown fat is to consume apple peels. Ursolic acid, a chemical found in apple peels, has been demonstrated to increase brown fat content. Furthermore, foods including cranberries, blueberries, plums, and prunes contain ursolic acid, which may promote brown fat activation.
Meanwhile, radiologists frequently detest brown fat because it produces a lot of heat, which might make it difficult to spot tumour-related activity in cancer patients during body scans.
Radiologists frequently advise patients to eat a high-fat, low-carb meal before scans to reduce brown fat activation. This suggests that a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet may boost brown fat activity.
Furthermore, radiologists provide heated waiting rooms to avoid the unexpected.
To be able to decipher brown fat, we must first understand the types of fats found in our bodies.
Essential fat is necessary for survival and physiological activities. It is found in many tissues throughout the body and is required for proper hormone action, particularly reproductive hormones.
Brown fat helps to keep the body temperature stable. Brown fat, unlike other fat types, produces heat when it burns calories, making it a viable target for weight loss and obesity prevention efforts.
The most abundant type of fat in the body is white fat, which stores energy. It also works as insulation, helping to control body temperature, as well as cushioning and protecting organs.
Beige fat shares properties with both white and brown fat. It burns calories similarly to brown fat but is less plentiful in the body.
Subcutaneous fat is situated directly beneath the skin. It is what you can “pinch” on your body, and while it provides insulation and energy storage, excessive amounts can be unsightly and may signal an increased risk of certain health disorders.
Visceral fat accumulates in the abdominal cavity near vital internal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. High levels of visceral fat have been linked to an increased risk of significant health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and some malignancies.
Body fat, particularly brown fat, may have more benefits for you than you realize. For example, brown fat can assist prevent diabetes. Yes, it is true.
According to a Cell Metabolism study, people with more brown fat had less blood sugar changes and so had a lower risk of getting diabetes.
In addition, newborns have more brown fat, which helps control their body temperature. However, as we become older, the amount of brown fat in our bodies gradually decreases.
Recent research suggests that people can stimulate their brown fat by exposing themselves to chilly temperatures. A study found that those who slept in a somewhat cold room (about 19 degrees Celsius) had up to a 40% increase in both the amount and activity of their brown fat.
Sleeping under warmer temperatures, around 27 degrees Celsius, resulted in a drop in brown fat levels. Surprisingly, cold showers had no significant effect on brown fat activation.
Another natural way to increase brown fat is to consume apple peels. Ursolic acid, a chemical found in apple peels, has been demonstrated to increase brown fat content. Furthermore, foods including cranberries, blueberries, plums, and prunes contain ursolic acid, which may promote brown fat activation.
Meanwhile, radiologists frequently detest brown fat because it produces a lot of heat, which might make it difficult to spot tumour-related activity in cancer patients during body scans.
Radiologists frequently advise patients to eat a high-fat, low-carb meal before scans to reduce brown fat activation. This suggests that a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet may boost brown fat activity.
Furthermore, radiologists provide heated waiting rooms to avoid the unexpected.
(The author, Dr Meenakshi Jain, is the director of internal medicine at Max Super Speciality Hospital.)
