OK, here’s the deal.
Yes there have been several (4 that I know of) studies showing that Brown Fat Exists in humans.
Even in adult humans.
It looks like we do have a tiny little bit left, mostly behind our shoulder blades and behind our clavicles.
And, YES it’s true, because of it’s high mitochondria content and the fact it expresses UPC1, brown fat cells actually burn energy (as opposed to just being an energy storage unit).
In fact, many proteins found in brown fat cells that are involved in fat uptake from the blood and fat combustion are more similar to those found in muscle.
Now, it’s dose of reality time.
In small mammals, exposure to cold stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to release the hormone adrenaline, which triggers brown fat cells to consume more fat and glucose for heat production…and it looks like brown fat plays the same role in humans. Basically it helps you stay warm when its cold outside.
So..what’s this mean to you?
Really, absolutely nothing.
Yes, you’ll now win at physiology Jeopardy (I’ll take metabolism for 400 Alex), but it doesn’t change how you lose weight.
Eat less and move more.
Learning about physiology is fun, but learning doesn’t change how the body works…Discovering something that has been there all along doesn’t suddenly make it work better.
Eat less and move more.
With a role in adult-human metabolism, could BAT be exploited as a therapy for obesity? Possibly. But most likely as a drug, or eventually some form of genetic therapy.
But for now, Eat less and move more.
or
You can sign up for the 2011 Eat Stop Eat Nude Arctic Cruise…
Whichever sounds more realistic 😉
BP
PS- Obviously, there is NOT going to be a 2010 Eat Stop Eat Nude Arctic Cruise, and even if there is, I’m not going…so for now, This is your closest alternative ==> Eat Stop Eat
