New research supports a brown fat theory that may provide scientists with a weight loss breakthrough.  In mice, brown fat is tissue that burns large amounts of fat and creates significant weight loss. Until recently, scientists didn't know if adult humans carry this fat or if it behaves the same way in human bodies that it does in mice.  But a small study published this month in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, provides new evidence that it does.

Brown adipose tissue, or BAT, is literally fat that is brown in color.  The tissue has more mitochondria that standard white fat which gives it a darker color.  Mitochondria are the energy production centers in the body.  Unlike white fat, the mitochondria in brown fat uses fat for energy and burns larger quantities of it than other tissue.

Brown Fat Theory in Humans and Mice

In mice, studies have shown that an increase in brown fat created significant weight loss because the tissue burned substantially more fat and calories.  Two things created an increase of brown fat in mice: exercise and exposure to cold air.

This new study confirms the presence of brown fat in adult men. Researchers found that when six men were exposed to cold air they demonstrated the same brown fat burning capacity that was shown in mice.  The study was small but important for those who study weight loss.

Waiting for the Weight Loss Breakthrough

Researchers still need to investigate the brown fat theory in humans.  So far only six men have been studied.  And scientists don't know if an increase in exercise will cause the BAT increase in humans that it does in mice.

The weight loss breakthrough may come with further studies.  For now, no one is recommending that we expose ourselves to the cold air to boost brown fat metabolism.  But this small revelation is helping researchers to get more excited about brown fat theory.

Brown Fat Theory Provides Potential Weight Loss Breakthrough originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 11:55:27.

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