The cold would play an important role against obesity
According to previous studies, cold has a role in fat burning, by means of a hormone called irisin. A new trial published in the FASEB Journal shows that the cold causing stress on the body, leads about 30% of “white” fat cells, into “brown” fat cells, which represent healthy fat, thus promoting the fight against obesityand diabetes.
The role of temperature against obesity
Different studies have highlighted the action of the brown fat hormone on fat burning. In this latest trial by researchers at Wayne State University, temperature appears as a contributing factor in protecting against obesity and diabetes.
The researchers suggest that under the effect of temperature, fat cells harmful to the bodycan convert into healthy fat cellsand vice versa.
« Fat cells can adopt a range of metabolic phenotypes, depending on physiological conditions and their location in the body,” says lead author James G. Granneman.
The researchers’ goal is to use this flexibility at the fat cell level in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity.
A new concept: metabolic flexibility
In the study published in the FASEB Journal(1), scientists demonstrated, in mice, thanks to a cell labeling technique, that exposure to cold allows the transformation of about 30% of white fat cells into brown fat cells. This phenomenon therefore highlights a certain cellular flexibility that could actually play an important role in the fight against the risk associated with obesity.
These results are promising, however, they remain to be confirmed on a human scale. This study revealed that a conversion of fat cells is possible. In addition, scientists have highlighted the existence of a molecule capable of carrying out this conversion. This could be used in particular in pharmacology in the treatment of obesity or even diabetes.
In conclusion, the effect of cold-related stress on the body allowsa metabolic flexibilitystill little known. However, this concept reveals a molecular target, which could well be very useful in the anti-obesity strategy, by developing new drugs.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.