Scientists have found a mechanism that helps the body burn fat instead of storing it

There are two types of fat in the human body. White fat fulfils the function of energy storage and in excess leads to weight gain. Brown fat, on the contrary, works as a kind of "stove" - it consumes energy, turning it into heat.

It is brown fat that has long attracted the attention of scientists as a possible tool for fighting obesity. However, until now it was not fully understood how exactly to activate it effectively.

A new study has shown that the key role is played not only by the fat itself, but also by the system that surrounds it - the network of blood vessels and nerves. The scientists found that a special protein triggers the growth of this network and thus makes brown fat active.

Details

When this mechanism works, brown fat begins to actively consume glucose and fats from the body. Instead of being stored as reserves, energy is used up and converted into heat. In this way, the body expends more resources than it stores.

The researchers also found that when this mechanism is disrupted, the body's ability to maintain body temperature and efficiently expend energy is impaired. Additional analyses of the data showed that this process is linked to obesity and insulin sensitivity in humans.

Why it's important

This discovery is important because it offers a new approach to treating overweight. Most current drugs aim to reduce appetite, meaning they reduce energy intake. The new mechanism, on the other hand, is associated with an increase in its consumption.

Scientists believe that in the future, influencing this process may help improve metabolism and reduce the risk of obesity and related diseases.

Source

The study was conducted by scientists from New York University. The results were published in the journal Nature Communications.