Home News Article Brown Fat May Help Provide Protection Against Diabetes
Brown Fat May Help Provide Protection Against Diabetes
Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla October 05, 2017 0
11 March 2016, 5:55 am EST By Katherine Derla Tech Times
Brown fat helps keep glucose levels from fluctuating and reduce the risks of developing type 2 diabetes, a study found. People with high amounts of brown fats also had a drop in their glucose levels as the fats’ activity increased. ( Victoria Koh | Flickr )
The activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is commonly known as brown fat, helps prevent fluctuating glucose levels — a diabetes forerunner. Moreover, higher amounts of brown fat lower the risk for developing diabetes and other health conditions.
A team of scientists from Australia's Garvan Institute of Medical Research analyzed the glucose levels and brown fat activity of 15 healthy individuals in the span of 12 hours as they conducted their daily activities.
Brown fat activity was measured through the heat it generated on the skin. The researchers used a small thermometer to detect the heat level on the collarbone of the participants where brown fat is located.
"We think brown fat may be functioning as a glucose buffer, smoothing out the fluctuations of glucose," said endocrinologist Dr. Paul Lee. The study was published in the Cell Metabolism journal on March 10.
Participants with high amounts of brown fats also had a drop in their glucose levels as the fats' activity increased. The researchers said the data was constant with the fats' glucose consumption. As a result, the glucose levels of these participants were very much stable during the study's monitoring period.
By contrast, they found that people with less brown fat also had more inconsistent glucose levels, which is a diabetes precursor. Large glucose levels fluctuations also increases the risks of other conditions such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, as well as neurological and visual impairments.
The researchers cautioned people on the findings implications. They highlighted regular exercise and a well-balanced diet are still the best ways to maintain a healthy metabolism.
"While interesting and promising, brown fat is not the solution to finding a cure for diabetes, at least not now," added Lee.
Past studies showed that brown fat burn calories to help maintain a constant body temperature. In prehistoric times, brown fats help keep our ancestors warm. In modern times, the new study found that it could be an effective glucose buffer that can help prevent diabetes and other health conditions.
Babies have high amounts of brown fats. The numbers decrease with age. Normally, people with low body mass index (BMI) have higher amounts of brown fat that sit just above the collarbone and in the neck area.
Photo: Victoria Koh | Flickr
Brown fat helps keep glucose levels from fluctuating and reduce the risks of developing type 2 diabetes, a study found. People with high amounts of brown fats also had a drop in their glucose levels as the fats’ activity increased. ( Victoria Koh | Flickr )
The activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is commonly known as brown fat, helps prevent fluctuating glucose levels — a diabetes forerunner. Moreover, higher amounts of brown fat lower the risk for developing diabetes and other health conditions.
A team of scientists from Australia's Garvan Institute of Medical Research analyzed the glucose levels and brown fat activity of 15 healthy individuals in the span of 12 hours as they conducted their daily activities.
Brown fat activity was measured through the heat it generated on the skin. The researchers used a small thermometer to detect the heat level on the collarbone of the participants where brown fat is located.
"We think brown fat may be functioning as a glucose buffer, smoothing out the fluctuations of glucose," said endocrinologist Dr. Paul Lee. The study was published in the Cell Metabolism journal on March 10.
Participants with high amounts of brown fats also had a drop in their glucose levels as the fats' activity increased. The researchers said the data was constant with the fats' glucose consumption. As a result, the glucose levels of these participants were very much stable during the study's monitoring period.
By contrast, they found that people with less brown fat also had more inconsistent glucose levels, which is a diabetes precursor. Large glucose levels fluctuations also increases the risks of other conditions such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, as well as neurological and visual impairments.
The researchers cautioned people on the findings implications. They highlighted regular exercise and a well-balanced diet are still the best ways to maintain a healthy metabolism.
"While interesting and promising, brown fat is not the solution to finding a cure for diabetes, at least not now," added Lee.
Past studies showed that brown fat burn calories to help maintain a constant body temperature. In prehistoric times, brown fats help keep our ancestors warm. In modern times, the new study found that it could be an effective glucose buffer that can help prevent diabetes and other health conditions.
Babies have high amounts of brown fats. The numbers decrease with age. Normally, people with low body mass index (BMI) have higher amounts of brown fat that sit just above the collarbone and in the neck area.
Photo: Victoria Koh | Flickr
Related Posts
- Ugliest Fossil Reptiles Pareiasaurs Roamed China Before Dinosaurs Emerged
- Rare Gorilla Becomes First In UK To Be Born By Caesarean
- Change Of Plans: California Decides To Build First Leg Of Bullet Train In Bay Area
- Earth Unique Among 700 Quintillion Planets In Known Universe
- Hubble Takes Time-Resolved Pictures Of Super-Jupiter That Rains Liquid Iron And Glass
- Here Are The Types Of Artwork You Can Send To Asteroid Bennu
- Social Media, Mars Mission Drive Record-Breaking Astronaut Applications For 2017 NASA Program
- Yahoo Expects 2016 As Year Of Pause And Reflection, Looks Forward To Mobile 2.0