What is brown fat? Know how it can protect you from diabetes, obesity – Times Now

What is brown fat? Know how it can protect you from diabetes, obesity  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: The human body consists of different kinds of fat, each having a different set of functions. Fats are known to provide heat to the body. The commonly known fat is called the white fat, also known as the white adipose tissue or WAT. This kind of fat simulates energy storage in forms of fat droplets that are distributed and accumulated in parts of the body. However, an excessive accumulation of white fat in the body can cause weight gain and lead to the development of health conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. However, there is another type of fat that is not popular but has abilities to shield you from obesity and diabetes.

BAT (brown adipose tissue), or brown fat, is a kind of fat that is stored in the body along with the white fat but takes up comparatively lesser space. The amount of mitochondria in the brown fat is more as compared to its count in white fat. Because the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, this characteristic promotes the production of heat after burning the calories through the process of thermogenesis. Brown fat can aid with the burning of calories and could help deal with obesity and other health conditions.

According to a study on Brown fat as a therapy for obesity and diabetes conducted by Aaron M. Cypess and C. Ronald Kahn, published in PubMed Central, brown fat can beneficial in treating diabetes and obesity.

Brown fat is also called the 'good' fat and can help with improving insulin levels in the body and controlling levels of blood sugar. This can result in a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes development. The risk of developing hyperlipidemia is also decreased as the fats are flushed out of the blood.

Brown fat can help to burn unnecessary calories in the body. Therefore, it can help prevent conditions such as obesity as well as help with weight management by promoting weight loss.

The human body contains a very little reserve of brown fat. However, you can build some by consuming a balanced, nutritious diet, exercising and exposing the body to cold temperatures. The intensity of the exercise can range from moderate to vigorous.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle along with a balanced diet is important as it can help ward off diseases and keep the body healthy and lively for a longer period.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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What is brown fat? Know how it can protect you from diabetes, obesity - Times Now