Brown Fats That Help You To Lose Weight

Brown adipose tissue -– brown fat -– is known as the good fat because of its ability to burn calories. Numerous studies reveal that obese individuals have minimal brown fat depots, or inactive brown fat. In a 2011 study, researchers found a way to grow brown fat in a laboratory. Their discovery offers the possibility of a new method of treatment for individuals who have difficulty losing weight and those suffering from obesity-related health issues.

2009 Study Discovers Brown Fat in Adults

Scientists previously thought brown fat existed only in children up to 15 years old, and in some animals. A 2009 study conducted by Aaron Cypess, M.D. and associates confirmed the presence of brown adipose tissue in adults located in the area from the front of the neck to the chest. Younger adults have greater amounts of brown adipose tissue than older adults do. According to a study reported by ResearchGate.net, brown adipose tissue activity decreases with age.

White Fat vs. Brown Fat

White fat accounts for the majority of fat in adult humans. White fat stores energy – calories – and insulates your body. An excess amount of white fat is associated with obesity, metabolic problems, diabetes and other major health issues. According to Cypess, brown fat generates heat and burns calories. ObesityInAmerica.org quotes Cypess as saying, “three ounces of brown fat can burn several hundred calories a day.” Cypess’ 2009 study also noted that only 50 g of metabolically active brown fat has the capability of burning 20 percent of daily resting energy. Resting energy usage is the amount or energy or calories burned at rest to keep your body functioning.

Effect of Temperature on Brown Fat

Brown adipose tissue is easier to detect in winter than in summer because it is metabolically active during cold temperatures. A PET/CT scan detects more brown fat in a room with a temperature of 61 degrees F, than in a warmer room. Cypess’ 2009 study discovered women have more brown fat than men do, which he theorized is related to less muscle mass in females. According to a study reported in "The New England Journal of Medicine," researchers exposed 24 study participants to cold temperatures. PET/CT scans revealed that 23 of the subjects, 10 lean and 13 overweight, showed brown adipose tissue activity. The study participant showing no evidence of brown fat on the PET/CT scan had the highest percentage of body fat.

2011 Study – Brown Fat Grown in Laboratory

In a 2011 study, Aaron Cypess, M.D., and associates grew mature brown fat cells in a laboratory. Although it took two weeks to grow the brown fat cells in the lab, Cypess stated the process would take less time in the body. The study results provide hope for a new method of treatment for obesity and diabetes. The results of this study were presented at the Endocrine Society’s 93rd Annual Meeting on June 5, 2011. Cypess says stimulating the growth of brown adipose tissue should serve as an adjunct to diet and exercise, not as a replacement, because, “as powerful as brown fat could be at burning calories, we can easily out-eat the benefit.”