Let's learn about the 'good' fat in the body. What is brown fat?

We all think that when we say "fat", it means something harmful and unnecessary for the body, right? That's true when we talk about fat that accumulates in the stomach and hips. But did you know that there is also a very important 'good' type of fat that is in our body, that helps us? That's what we call "brown fat" or `(Brown Fat)`. To be more precise, it is also called `(Brown Adipose Tissue)`. This is a special type of fat that works like a little heater in our body.

What is the difference between brown fat and white fat?

So to understand this properly, we first need to know about the two main types of fat in our bodies.

1. White Fat: This is the type of fat that we all know and talk about all the time. When we eat more calories, that is, energy-rich foods, than we need, that excess energy is stored in our bodies as white fat. The body stores energy in this way to use later when there is no food. Usually, these are stored in places like the stomach, hips, and thighs. However, the accumulation of this white fat, especially in the stomach area, greatly increases the risk of diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes .

2. Brown Fat: This is the hero of our story. The main function of brown fat is not to store energy, but to burn energy and provide the body with the heat it needs . The two are also made up of different substances. White fat is made up of large droplets of fatty acids (lipids). But brown fat cells are filled with a special type of organelle called mitochondria .

Think of mitochondria as tiny engines inside our cells. These are the cells that take the sugars and fats we eat and burn them to create energy. These mitochondria are rich in iron, which is why brown fat gets its name and color. Brown fat can also store more energy in a much smaller space than white fat.

See the table below to better understand this difference.

How does this brown fat work?

This is a very amazing process. Imagine you are very cold. Then your body starts shivering, right? That shivering is the activation of muscles and the generation of heat.

But look at little babies. Newborn babies can't shiver to keep themselves warm like we can. So who protects them from the cold? That's where brown fat comes in. When babies are born, they have a significant amount of brown fat located behind their shoulders and around their necks.

When your body gets cold, your brain releases a hormone called norepinephrine . It's like a message saying, "You're cold, warm up!" Brown fat cells have special receptors that can recognize this hormone. When they receive this message, the mitochondria inside the brown fat cells fire up, burning energy at a rapid rate and producing heat.

As we grow older, as our ability to move increases, we lose most of this brown fat. But it doesn't disappear completely. Even in adults, there is a small amount of brown fat left in the neck, shoulders, near the kidneys, and around the spine. Research has found that people who are generally thin and have low body fat have slightly more brown fat, and that women have slightly more than men .

The relationship between brown fat and our health

Now scientists are doing a lot of research on the other benefits of this brown fat. In particular, they are very interested in whether it can be used as a treatment for obesity. Because if brown fat can use white fat as fuel and burn it, it could be a great help in losing weight.

A recent study found something very important. That is, brown fat can filter out certain amino acids from our blood. Specifically, the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine . We get these from things like eggs, meat, fish, and dairy. They are also found in supplements that some people take to build muscle. In normal amounts, these are good for the body. But excessive accumulation of these in the blood has been linked to obesity and diabetes.

Research is also underway to see if hormones that activate brown fat are produced during exercise. The hope is that all of this will harness this amazing power of brown fat to find a cure for obesity in the future.

Can brown fat be used to lose weight?

This is a question that many people have. Scientists are currently trying to see if a drug can activate brown fat without exposure to cold. If such a drug can be found, it could be the beginning of a new way to lose weight.

But there is a slight risk. When brown fat is activated and burns energy, it can increase heart rate and blood pressure . This is not good for people at risk of heart disease. Therefore, further in-depth research is needed to determine how safe this type of drug is.

So remember, these are still in the research stage. If you're thinking about losing weight, the best and safest way right now is to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and seek proper advice from your doctor or physician .