Is brown adipose tissue bad for you?

The team found that people with brown fat were less likely to have type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, harmful levels of blood cholesterol and fats, heart failure, or high blood pressure. This reduced risk was observed even among people who were obese or overweight.

nih.gov - Brown fat associated with less heart and metabolic disease - NIH

Does Wegovy cause thyroid tumors?

Wegovy™ may cause serious side effects, including: Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or...

Last updated Jul 24, 2021

What is a hanging FUPA?

The scientific word for FUPA is panniculus , which refers to a growth of dense, fatty tissue on the lower abdomen that sometimes hangs over the...

Last updated Jun 6, 2021

Learn More »

Promotion

Brown fat associated with less heart and metabolic disease

At a Glance People with measurable levels of brown fat were less likely to have type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or high blood pressure. Brown fat appeared to be protective even if people were overweight or obese, highlighting its potential as a target for disease prevention.

Andreas G. Wibmer and Heiko Schöder, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Too much white fat, a characteristic of obesity, has been shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases. A less common type of fat, called brown fat, uses blood sugar and fat molecules to create heat and help maintain body temperature. Studies suggest it may have beneficial health effects. Researchers have been interested in the potential of harnessing brown fat as a treatment for diseases related to obesity. But whether it actually contributes to better health has been unclear. Measuring brown fat requires a type of imaging called a PET scan. Because PET scans use radiation, researchers don’t want to use them in healthy people. However, people with cancer often undergo PET scanning to track tumors before, during, or after treatment. At some institutions, doctors reading these scans routinely mark areas of brown fat to prevent them from being mistaken for tumors. A research team led by Dr. Paul Cohen from the Rockefeller University examined such scans from more than 50,000 people seen at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center during the last ten years. Brown fat was marked on scans taken from about 10% of the patients. The researchers compared the prevalence of several heart and metabolic diseases between people with brown fat and a matched group who didn’t have measurable brown fat. They matched people by sex, age, body-mass index (BMI), and the outdoor temperatures at the time the scans were taken, which can also affect brown fat. The team adjusted for factors thought to either decrease or increase the potential for brown fat production. These included the use of some medications, such as beta blockers and statins, and different cancer treatments. The study was funded in part by NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). Results were published on January 4, 2021, in Nature Medicine. The team found that people with brown fat were less likely to have type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, harmful levels of blood cholesterol and fats, heart failure, or high blood pressure. This reduced risk was observed even among people who were obese or overweight. Overall, the researchers saw the prevalence of heart and metabolic diseases rise with increasing BMI. However, this rise was tempered in people with brown fat. For example, about 20% of obese participants without brown fat had type 2 diabetes. In comparison, less than 8% of obese participants with measurable brown fat had the condition. Blood samples showed that the presence of brown fat was linked with better blood sugar control and improved levels of triglycerides (a kind of fat) and high-density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol). Brown fat was also associated with differences in levels of some types of immune and blood cells. This suggests that brown fat may have effects on the body outside of metabolism. The study revealed a link between brown fat and lower risk of certain conditions. “The natural question that everybody has is, ‘What can I do to get more brown fat?’” Cohen says. “We don’t have a good answer to that yet, but it will be an exciting space for scientists to explore in the upcoming years.”

—by Sharon Reynolds

What are 3 dietary supplements?

What Are Dietary Supplements? Vitamins (such as multivitamins or individual vitamins like vitamin D and biotin). Minerals (such as calcium,...

Last updated Nov 26, 2021

What foods kickstart your metabolism?

12 Metabolism-Boosting Foods to Aid Weight Loss (Infographic) Fish & Shellfish. Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Fish (salmon, tuna, sardines and...

Last updated Jul 25, 2019

Promotion

Is Oatmeal high in potassium?

Whole grains, including oats, are considered good potassium sources. One serving of instant or steel-cut oatmeal provides about 130 milligrams of potassium. If you're aiming to increase your potassium intake, you can bring this amount up significantly by adding high-potassium fruit to your oatmeal.

healthyeating.sfgate.com - How Much Potassium Is in Oatmeal? - Healthy Eating | SF Gate

Oatmeal can provide a warm, flavorful and nutritious way to start your day. While not a high-potassium food, it does provide notable amounts of the mineral. You can also prepare your oatmeal in ways that increase its potassium content. Regardless of how you serve it, oatmeal can provide a range of additional vital nutrients as well, from fiber and protein to B-vitamins and iron.

Basic Potassium Content

Whole grains, including oats, are considered good potassium sources. One serving of instant or steel-cut oatmeal provides about 130 milligrams of potassium. If you’re aiming to increase your potassium intake, you can bring this amount up significantly by adding high-potassium fruit to your oatmeal. Examples include bananas, apricots, raisins and dates. You can also increase the potassium content by preparing oatmeal with milk versus water or serving it with coffee, tea or juice.

Daily Potassium Needs

Most adults need 4,700 milligrams of potassium per day for overall health, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. This amount increases to 5,100 for anyone breastfeeding. While full-on deficiencies are pretty rare in the U.S., many people consume less than ideal amounts. Oatmeal won’t fulfill a huge percentage of your daily need, but it can help you get there, especially if you serve or prepare it with other potassium sources.

When You’re Limiting Potassium

If your doctor has recommended a low-potassium diet, you can probably still enjoy oatmeal a few times per week. If, however, you need to limit phosphorus as well due to kidney issues, you may need to limit or avoid oatmeal, opting instead for cream of wheat or grits when you have a hankering for hot cereal. If you’re unsure about your specific nutrient needs, talk to your doctor.

Additional Oatmeal Perks

What happens if you let yourself go hungry?

While it may be tempting to deprive yourself of food, your body will suffer. After prolonged starvation, your body's metabolism may slow down, your...

Last updated Jan 9, 2019

How do you rebuild leptin?

Consuming a well-balanced diet, completing moderate physical activity and getting enough sleep is the best way to improve leptin resistance and...

Last updated Oct 5, 2022

Promotion

How do you tighten saggy skin?

Here are six ways you can tighten loose skin. Firming creams. A good choice for a firming cream is one that contains retinoids, says Dr. ......

Last updated May 11, 2022

Promotion

How can I satisfy my sweet tooth without sugar?

19 Foods That Can Fight Sugar Cravings Fruit. When most people feel sugar cravings, they reach for high-fat, high-sugar foods like chocolate ( 1 )....

Last updated Jul 16, 2020