A recent study in mice suggests that activating healthy brown fat in the body may help protect against obesity. With more than 1 billion people globally living with obesity and the number projected to reach 4 billion by 2050, researchers are exploring ways to combat the condition. Brown fat, which converts calories from food into heat, plays a key role in weight regulation. The study, conducted by researchers from Southern Danish University in Denmark and published in the journal Nature Metabolism, focused on a protein called AC3-AT, which inhibits brown fat activation. By removing AC3-AT from the genetic makeup of mice, researchers found that the animals were protected from obesity, as their bodies were better at burning calories and their metabolism was sped up.
Brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories and generates heat, is more abundant in infants and decreases in adults as they age. Adults typically have small amounts of brown fat in areas such as the shoulders, neck, spinal cord, kidneys, and heart. Previous studies have also explored the potential benefits of activating brown fat to decrease weight and protect against obesity. Research has shown that cold exposure and exercise may trigger brown fat in the body, leading to improvements in metabolism. Additionally, a study published in October 2023 identified the nerve pathways needed to activate brown fat. While there is no consensus on how to increase brown fat levels in adults, ongoing studies are investigating methods such as “browning” white fat through exercise or the use of specific drugs.
In terms of potential treatments, researchers are exploring pharmacological and environmental approaches to delay the decline in brown fat amount and activity. However, many of these drugs have strong side effects, prompting the search for safer alternatives to boost brown fat activity in obesity and older age or prevent its loss over time. One possible strategy involves stimulating brown fat cells that are already present to grow and work more effectively. While it is challenging to grow new brown fat in adults, techniques like cold exposure or cold water baths can help stimulate existing stores of brown fat. Bariatric surgeon and medical director Mir Ali emphasizes the importance of making healthy food choices in addition to utilizing strategies to stimulate brown fat for weight loss.
As researchers continue to uncover the mechanisms underlying brown fat activation and its potential role in protecting against obesity, the search for safe and effective interventions to harness the benefits of brown fat remains ongoing. While current studies are focusing on strategies to stimulate brown fat activity in adults through exercise or specific medications, further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between brown fat activation and obesity prevention. By exploring new avenues for targeting brown fat and identifying ways to promote its activation in the body, scientists hope to develop novel approaches for managing and preventing obesity in the future.
