Brown adipose tissue may enhance exercise performance, support healthy aging, and offer new treatments for weight management and heart health.

A recent study published in Aging titled “Brown adipose tissue enhances exercise performance and healthful longevity” explores the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in enhancing exercise endurance and promoting healthy aging (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Brown adipose tissue enhances exercise performance and healthful longevity

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BAT, a unique fat that burns calories to produce heat, differs from white fat, which primarily stores energy. The researchers suggest that BAT not only helps maintain body temperature but also boosts metabolism, potentially offering protection against conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

This research was conducted by Dorothy E. Vatner, Jie Zhang, and Stephen F. Vatner from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Key Findings on Brown Adipose Tissue

This research perspective highlights key findings from multiple studies on BAT. While most studies have shown that exercise regulates BAT activation and increases BAT density, relatively few have demonstrated that BAT itself can directly increase exercise performance.

Impact of BAT Transplant on Exercise Endurance

One notable example involves RGS14 knockout mice, a genetically modified group known for their longer lifespan. When BAT 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 BAT in enhancing physical performance. The researchers emphasized also that BAT improves blood circulation and reduces cellular stress, which may help combat age-related muscle loss, fatigue, and metabolic decline.

The Future of Brown Fat as a Therapeutic Target

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.

“In view of the ability of BAT to mediate healthful longevity and enhance exercise performance, it is likely that a pharmaceutical analog of BAT will become a novel therapeutic modality.”

In conclusion, continued research on this topic may lead to the development of promising new therapies that help older adults live more active lives while reducing the risk of chronic age-related conditions.

Reference:

1. Brown adipose tissue enhances exercise performance and healthful longevity – (https://www.aging-us.com/article/206179/text)

Source-Eurekalert