(Monika Warzecha/ Health.ca) — Researchers studying different types of fat hope their work will lead to a possible new way to treat obesity: it involves Vitamin A and cold temperatures.
A team from the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Medical University of Vienna found that cold ambient temperatures increase vitamin A levels in mice — and, more importantly, humans.
The study, published in the Molecular Metabolism journal, looked at two types of body fat deposits in mammals: “bad” white adipose tissue and “good” brown adipose tissue. Excess calories are mainly stored in white adipose tissue, which is generally located in the abdomen, bottom, and upper thighs. Brown fat burns calories or energy to generate heat.
According to the Mayo Clinic, brown fat is activated when you get cold and helps maintain your body temperature. It is also believed that exercise may release hormones that activate brown fat. (…)