Newly identified type of brown adipocyte (University of Gothenburg)
Posted on 05/30/2013 3:18:21 PM PDT by neverdem
A new study by scientists at Sahlgrenska Academy, Sweden, shows that humans have two different types of brown fat cells, not one as previously thought.
Newly identified type of brown adipocyte (University of Gothenburg)
According to scientists, the body’s brown fat cells play a key role in the development of obesity and diabetes. Unlike white fat cells, which store the body’s surplus energy in the form of fat, brown fat cells have the unique property of being able to burn energy and turn it into heat.
The new research published in the journal Nature Medicine reveals that people have at least two different kinds of brown fat cells.
“We already know that those of us who have more brown fat tissue have a smaller risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said lead author Dr Sven Enerbäck.
With these new results, we should eventually be able to develop methods for stimulating the brown fat tissue, so that some of the surplus energy we store in the form of fat tissue can be converted into heat. Such a treatment could both prevent obesity and reduce the risk of developing obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes.”
The team calls the new type of brown fat tissue – ‘classical brown fat.’ According to the study, infants have this classic brown fat tissue, but it seems to disappear during adolescence.
“One idea is to be able to ‘reactivate’ the classical brown fat tissue in older people and so treat obesity,” Dr Enerbäck said.
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Bibliographic information: Martin E Lidell et al. Evidence for two types of brown adipose tissue in humans. Nature Medicine, published online April 21, 2013; doi:10.1038/nm.3017
Maybe they’re cold because they’re skinny - not the other way around.
I complain about the cold and am not skinny.
I used to be but pregnancy took care of that for good.
Classical music is my all time favorite music. I wonder if listening to more of it will help with weight management. Just kidding.
“Get gall bladder surgery. You will be to sick to eat much the rest of your life.
Had my gall bladder removed about 20 years ago because it was producing a “quarry” of gall stones. Changing my eating habits has helped very much with diabetes. Weight won’t budge an ounce and has been the same for many years. I’m tired of that battle so gave up forever fighting “The Battle of the Bulge.”
Ever notice how tall people always look down at the short people and tell them that if they had just applied themselves and worked harder, they too could be tall and special like they are?
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