Brown fat / Brown Fat: How to Increase, Thermogenesis, and More / Brown Fat and Weight Loss: What You Need to Know

Brown fat is one that is activated when the sensation of cold is perceived. Contrary to white or yellow fatty tissue, whose function is fundamentally an energy reserve, this type of fat has important implications for health.

It is found mainly in the pericardial, supraclavicular area and around organs such as the pancreas and kidneys. It is a metabolically active tissue that has a large number of mitochondria in its composition. Its function is thermoregulatory and it takes on special importance in babies.

Activation of brown fat

When we are cold, more fat is burned to generate heat. This is especially due to the stimulation of brown fat. Physical exercise also seems to activate this type of fat , which affects the elimination of white adipose tissue .

A group of researchers found a positive relationship between the consumption of melatonin and the increase in brown fat. The results of their study, published in 2018, suggest that the administration of this hormone could be an effective mechanism for weight control by stimulating this metabolically active brown tissue.

However, the studies carried out in this regard have been carried out on animal models. This implies that the conclusions drawn are not entirely extrapolated to the human being. Regardless, experts suggest that brown or brown fatty tissue may be closely linked to weight loss and blood glucose regulation.

In any case, the distribution of this fat is not homogeneous between individuals, and there are also differences in terms of sex. Women appear to have a greater amount of this tissue, according to an article published in the journal Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

Thermogenesis

The thermogenesis process carried out on brown fat has the function of producing heat when a low temperature is detected. To do this, triglycerides and glucose are used in a protein-mediated metabolic reaction.

In this way, the amount of brown fat in the body is positively linked to energy expenditure. Activation of this tissue can lead to an increase of up to 5% in resting energy expenditure , which could mean an increase in energy needs of 100 kcal.

The organs that are responsible for mediating the activation of this tissue are the heart, through the secretion of peptides; the muscle, by means of hormones called myokins; and the nervous system thanks to the secretion of catecholamines.\

Nutrition and brown fat

Some active compounds in food may be related to the amount of brown fat in the body and its metabolic capacity. Capsaicin, resveratrol, curcumin, and green tea appear to be able to stimulate this type of brown tissue , as are conjugated linoleic fatty acids.

This could be the reason why regular food intake with these nutrients is linked to weight loss, according to a study published in 2017. However, the evidence on this is not solid and more human trials are needed. to confirm these associations.

Brown fat, a metabolically active tissue

Brown fat, unlike white or yellow, is a metabolically active tissue. It has functions in the thermoregulation of the body and begins to function when the body detects the sensation of cold.

This start-up leads to significant increases in resting metabolic expenditure, which can lead to weight loss thanks to the destruction of white fatty tissue. The effects of melatonin and certain food active compounds on brown fatty tissue are currently being studied.

The intake of certain substances could increase, to a certain extent, the proportion of it in the body. It could even improve your metabolic activity. On the other hand, exercise helps stimulate the functions of this tissue, increasing energy expenditure and thereby maximizing weight loss.

Finally, it should be noted that this fat is more abundant in newborns than in adults. There are also differences regarding sexes, since it can be found in greater quantities in women than in men.