[boiffrona]

Hi - came across this article and posted here because I had never ever heard of brown fat before nor white fat. Apparently we are born with a higher proportion of brown fat and it aides in survival and regulating temperature.

Anyway .. here's the link to the brief article.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18996076


Why brown fat is 'good' in the fight against obesity

White fat is the 'bad' stuff which stores energy rather than burning off calories
Continue reading the main story


What produces 300 times more heat than any other organ in the body? What stops a baby from freezing to death if left in the cold? The answer to both questions is "brown fat".

Scientists have discovered that this type of fat is a good thing because it produces lots of heat by burning calories.

etc.. etc.... in the article.








Anyone here know about this and if this article is discussing something legitimate?

[maks_holi]

I've heard about it but that's about the limit of my knowledge.

[boiffrona]

I've heard about it but that's about the limit of my knowledge.

That was one step better than I!

[KojlinMakolvin]

I've heard about it but that's about the limit of my knowledge.

You're as expert as anyone! Qualified talk-back radio caller...

[maks_holi]

Well since I'm now an expert...

I have a vague recollection (which may or may not be correct) that brown fat is the type found around the hips, thighs etc.

[maks_holi]

Maybe I have it backwards- the white fat is the stuff on your hips and thighs and the brown fat is the one that covers the organs?

Conclusion: don't listen to me

[KojlinMakolvin]

Well since I'm now an expert...

Easy, this place is full of them

Hips and thighs aren't something I know much about, built like a match with the wood shaved off...

[boiffrona]

Maybe I have it backwards- the white fat is the stuff on your hips and thighs and the brown fat is the one that covers the organs?

Conclusion: don't listen to me

Okay.

Yes - I did note in the news story that babies are born with brown fat but what happens later on is what they don't know that much about. From what I read.

[maks_holi]

In any case, I don't think there's been a lot of research about it.

[BEyng6hj]

a long time ago I read that we are born with a certain amount / number of fat cells, but thatIF in infancy we are overfed on certain foods, that number can be increased FOR LIFE.

It was explained as a complicating factor in subsequent obesity.
I wonder if that is sill thought to be true and if so, if there is any connection with the distinction between types of fat cells as suggested in this OP?

[KojlinMakolvin]

In any case, I don't think there's been a lot of research about it.

At least enough that Monkey Skipper heard of it...

[BEyng6hj]

http://www.jpeds.com/
That's a fascinating set of studies there Monkey Skipper.

[boiffrona]

a long time ago I read that we are born with a certain amount / number of fat cells, but thatIF in infancy we are overfed on certain foods, that number can be increased FOR LIFE.

It was explained as a complicating factor in subsequent obesity.
I wonder if that is sill thought to be true and if so, if there is any connection with the distinction between types of fat cells as suggested in this OP?

Good question jj.

Further from the article.

" And that's why the race is on to find out more about brown adipose tissue, also known as brown fat, and how humans could use it to our advantage. "

[boiffrona]

http://www.jpeds.com/
That's a fascinating set of studies there Monkey Skipper.

Thanks.

I'll have a read of this too.

[BEyng6hj]

It would be ... oh ... 20 years ago I first heard about it.
I recall it because in those days the classic "Lactogen babies" were still largely encouraged ; our own three looked like the Biafrans in the news each night by comparison.

In my post grad ece studies on health, the topic was raging.

It would seem odd not to be general knowledge by now, if it had been proven.

[voksveta]

A developmental thing, infants are born with it, hibernating animals make it, but I don't think we have any proven way to encourage adult humans to make brown fat instead of white fat.

[voksveta]

From article.

/*
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have been using heat-seeking technology to find out if brown fat is still present in children and adults.

Professor Michael Symonds and Dr Helen Budge from the University's School of Clinical Sciences say their research, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, shows that the neck region in healthy children produces heat.

"There is only about 50g of brown fat in the neck region and it switches on and off throughout the day as it's exposed to different temperatures or if you exercise or eat," says Prof Symonds.
Images showing brown fat in a child Thermal imaging shows brown fat on a child's neck (in red) when their hand is put in cold water

But this capacity is much greater in young children compared with adolescents and adults.

He says that the challenge is now to use this knowledge to find out what factors might switch on brown fat, and therefore prevent excess weight gain.
*/

Watch this space.

[maks_holi]

but I don't think we have any proven way to encourage adult humans to make brown fat instead of white fat.

I bet we can market something to say that though

[BEyng6hj]

That certainly suggests quite new observations, doesn't it.

[voksveta]

// I bet we can market something to say that though

Yes, it's called "go and do some exercise out in the cool winter breeze", I'll sell 'u the rights for 'ur basic council rates, payable to 'ur city of residence.