In our Colne community, along with the rest of the world, there has been a dramatic shift in the way in which we perceive and understand fat. We’ve made remarkable progress in understanding how fat influences our body’s processes. It was once labelled as the number one enemy that should be evaded at all costs, but not anymore. The current understanding highlights the significance of differentiating between good and bad fats, underscoring fat’s vital role as a major nutrient that performs key functions for our bodies.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the topic, scrutinizing specific types of fat, namely brown and white fat. It might sound new to you that fat can have different colours, but this has been a known fact in the scientific world. Studies about brown fat are increasingly gaining popularity, often surfacing in discussions ranging from workouts to cold therapy.
Brown fat exhibits concrete benefits for the body, and before we jump into those, let’s understand what brown fat actually is.
Brown fat, also recognized as brown adipose tissue (BAT), is a unique sort of fat distinguishably darker than the ordinary white fat. Unlike the latter, which essentially stockpiles energy for the body, brown fat is inherently more metabolically active. It plays pivotal roles in warming our bodies and facilitates calorie burning. Thus, brown fat can be seen as a significant contributor to weight management efforts, particularly in residents of colder areas like Colne.
The percentages of fat types differ between individuals, but generally, the brown fat proportion is relatively minuscule compared to white fat. It’s observed that athletes and leaner people usually have greater brown fat deposits.
Watch Dr. Ben Bikman’s succinct video explanation for a clearer picture on the differences between brown fat and white fat.
Brown fat boasts several advantages. It plays a vital role in thermoregulation – heating the blood in your body. Here are some ways it can benefit you:
1. Brown fat incinerates more calories.
Brown fat cells contain plenty of mitochondria (cell powerhouse), enabling them to burn calories to generate heat. This aids in weight management.
2. Brown fat maintains body temperature.
When exposed to cold temperatures, brown fat helps break down blood sugar and fat molecules to provide heat, a process known as ‘thermogenesis.’ This is especially useful for residents in colder areas like Colne.
3. Brown fat could improve insulin sensitivity.
When activated, brown fat boosts the body’s metabolic rate, promoting a negative energy balance. This can help with metabolic health problems like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
So, how can we increase brown fat naturally?
1. Lower the temperature.
Brown fat is activated at lower temperatures, right before shivering kicks in. Hence, exposure to colder conditions can stimulate brown fat activity, aiding in calorie burning.
2. Follow a healthy, balanced diet.
Nutrition plays a critical role in any health objective, including maintaining brown fat. Stick to a diet rich in healthy fats and fiber, consumed mainly through fruits, vegetables, meat, leafy greens, and beans. Steer clear of ultra-processed foods to promote better metabolic health and brown fat functionality.
3. Regular exercise.
An active lifestyle directly contributes to brown fat activity and may help convert white fat to beige fat (white fat acting like brown fat). Try to engage in daily moderate to high-intensity exercises.
4. Drink yerba mate.
Consumed for generations for its uplifting and energy-giving effects, yerba mate is known to increase satiety and could enhance the fat burned for energy. Research on Unicity’s ultra-purified yerba mate drink, Unimate, revealed that it yielded a significant decrease in cellular energy and metabolic efficiency, implying an increase in calorie burning.
In conclusion, unlocking the power of brown fat comes into the limelight as a promising strategy for metabolic health and weight management, thanks to its unique calorie-burning property and energy regulation. Always keep in mind these tips and incorporate them into your lifestyle in Colne to maximize brown fat benefits!