Posted on 01/16/2025 6:29:11 AM PST by Red Badger
Research from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School shows that brown adipose tissue can boost exercise performance and support healthy aging, offering promising insights for future therapies targeting age-related decline.
The researchers hypothesize that brown adipose tissue (BAT) offers protection against compromised healthy longevity, including conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and decreased exercise tolerance.
A new research perspective published in Aging explores the impact of brown adipose tissue (BAT) on exercise endurance and healthy aging. Conducted by researchers Dorothy E. Vatner, Jie Zhang, and Stephen F. Vatner from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, the study examines how BAT—a unique type of fat that burns calories to produce heat—contributes to overall health.
Unlike white fat, which stores energy, brown fat increases body warmth and enhances metabolism. The researchers suggest that this metabolic activity may also offer protection against obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
BAT’s Direct Impact on Exercise Performance
This research perspective highlights key findings from multiple studies on BAT. While most studies have shown that exercise regulates BAT activation and increases BAT density, relatively few have demonstrated that BAT itself can directly increase exercise performance.
One notable example involves RGS14 knockout mice, a genetically modified group known for their longer lifespan. When BAT from these mice was transplanted into regular mice, the recipients displayed improved running endurance just three days after the transplant. In contrast, brown fat from non-modified mice took much longer to produce similar improvements.
These findings highlight the unique properties of BAT in enhancing physical performance. The researchers emphasized also that BAT improves blood circulation and reduces cellular stress, which may help combat age-related muscle loss, fatigue, and metabolic decline.
The authors suggest that treatments designed to mimic the benefits of brown fat could lead to innovative approaches for improving energy levels, maintaining a healthy weight, and supporting heart health.
“In view of the ability of BAT to mediate healthful longevity and enhance exercise performance, it is likely that a pharmaceutical analog of BAT will become a novel therapeutic modality.”
In conclusion, continued research on this topic may lead to the development of promising new therapies that help older adults live more active lives while reducing the risk of chronic age-related conditions.
Reference:
“Brown adipose tissue enhances exercise performance and healthful longevity”
by Dorothy E. Vatner, Jie Zhang and Stephen F. Vatner, 18 December 2024, Aging.
DOI: 10.18632/aging.206179
Interesting. I found this:
“Here are some ways to help stimulate the production of brown fat:
*Cold Exposure: Exposing your body to cooler temperatures can help activate brown fat. Try taking cold showers, ice baths, or spending time in a cooler environment2.
*Exercise: Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercises, can promote the browning of white fat into brown fat.
*Certain Foods: Some foods and compounds can help stimulate brown fat. These include:
Capsaicin: Found in hot peppers, capsaicin can increase fat burning and energy expenditure.
Green Tea: Contains catechins that may help activate brown fat.
Olive Oil: Rich in polyphenols, which can promote brown fat activity.
*Adequate Sleep: Ensuring you get enough quality sleep is important for overall metabolic health and can support brown fat function.
So it ties with a lot of the basics: exercise, plenty of sleep, certain foods.
Though the cold exposure tie was unexpected for me.
It might be true but “scientists” aren’t what they used to be. They call themselves scientists and we accept that self-designation then somehow whatever they say, is more believable. I am skeptical.
Can I turn white fat into brown fat by getting a suntan on my belly? Not crazy about that cold-exposure thing.
I’m thinking more like Brown Dye No.3. I hate exercise.
Cold exposure naturally burns calories - I suppose making your body go through seasonal adaptations can be good for it.
Considering what was known about brown fat in the 1980s related to neonatal nursing care, sounds like someone needs published so they don’t perish. Such a waste of money...!
“ Can I turn white fat into brown fat by getting a suntan on my belly? Not crazy about that cold-exposure thing”
If you get close enough you can just burn it right off.
I didn’t see Nutella on that list.
I think the last few days of taking our daily walks should qualify as cold exposure. It was in the teens both days when we went. Bundled up to prevent getting frostbite.
Shoveling snow in 20 degree weather should also count.
Today our high should be near or just over freezing, for the first time in about 2 weeks. I’m looking forward to two days of above freezing temps, as the forecast is going for another deep freeze right after that.
“Shoveling snow” - counts as a two-fer, exercise and cold exposure....it’s supposed to get sub-zero here Sunday-Tuesday.
Based on your recommendations it’s safe to assume ice cold beer is good, this will cool the internal body temps far quicker than a cold shower or ice bath hence promoting BAT.
Walking to and from the refrigerator for the ice cold beer will in promoting BAT.. the farther away the refrigerator is the better.
Hot peppers on Pizza with a light layer of olive oil and ice cold beer from the refrigerator has a triple effect on promoting BAT.
Excessive amounts of beer can also make you sleep.
I’m in !!!
That’s the ticket!
Yeah, we had sub zero overnight yesterday. I woke up to -2 temps. Wanted to stay under the covers when I saw that.
It’s going to be worse again starting Sunday. We won’t see above freezing temps for the rest of January, I bet.
Our garage is like a walk in freezer right now. Not kidding. And guess where Mr. FF’s beer fridge is located. Yep, out there in the giant walk in freezer! Huge win for the internal and external BAT workings. ;)
I know a number of people who do cold plunges.
There is truth to the saying.
I’drather die..
I know a number of people who do cold plunges.
There is truth to the saying.
I’drather die..
I know a number of people who do cold plunges.
There is truth to the saying.
I’drather die..
Unfortunately for me, I have too much of the other kind. I have to really watch my carb intake
"Turn the temperature down
Exposing your body to cool and even cold temperatures may help recruit more brown fat cells. Some research suggests that just 2 hours of exposure each day to temperatures around 66°F (19°C) may be enough to turn recruitable fat brown.
You may consider taking a cold shower or ice bath. Turning the thermostat down a few degrees in your home or going outside in cold weather are other ways to cool your body and possibly create more brown fat."
Well, I feel a bit lazy after looking at these pictures. Svelte lady at the top was probably in Sweden or Finland. Red coated figure at bus stop in snowy meadow and Nordic "Poseidon post sauna" were Norway.
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