Can Brown Adipose Tissue Increase Exercise Performance? Study Sheds Light
According to a new research, brown fat may help protect against health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The findings are published in the journal Aging. Researchers evaluated the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT), a special type of fat that burns calories to generate heat, in improving exercise endurance and supporting healthy aging.
While most studies have shown that exercise regulates brown adipose tissue activation and increases brown adipose tissue density, relatively few have demonstrated that brown adipose tissue itself can directly increase exercise performance.
One notable example involves RGS14 knockout mice, a genetically modified group known for their longer lifespan. When brown adipose tissue from these mice was transplanted into regular mice, the recipients displayed improved running endurance just three days after the transplant. In contrast, brown fat from non-modified mice took much longer to produce similar improvements.
These findings highlight the unique properties of brown adipose tissue in enhancing physical performance. The researchers emphasized also that brown adipose tissue improves blood circulation and reduces cellular stress, which may help combat age-related muscle loss, fatigue, and metabolic decline.
The authors suggest that treatments designed to mimic the benefits of brown fat could lead to innovative approaches for improving energy levels, maintaining a healthy weight, and supporting heart health.
Reference: Vatner DE, Zhang J, Vatner SF. Brown adipose tissue enhances exercise performance and healthful longevity. Aging (Albany NY). 2024 Dec 18; 16:13442-13451 . https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206179
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