Jonah Patel
Body fat, or adipose tissue, is a complex organ that extends throughout the body. It is composed of nerves, immune cells, and connective tissue. While the word fat is often used broadly to describe all body fat, there are several different types of fat in the body, each serving a different role. The two main types of fat that constitute body fat are white fat and brown fat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main types | White fat, Brown fat |
| Other types | Beige fat, Visceral fat, Subcutaneous fat |
| White fat composition | Large, white cells |
| White fat location | Under the skin, Around organs in the belly, arms, buttocks, and thighs |
| White fat function | Store energy, Produce hormones like leptin and adiponectin |
| Brown fat composition | Brown or thermogenic fat |
| Brown fat location | Upper back, Neck, Collarbone, Spine of the chest and abdomen |
| Brown fat function | Burn energy, Produce heat |
| Beige fat composition | White fat transforms into beige fat cells |
| Visceral fat location | Deep in the belly, Around organs |
| Visceral fat impact | Affects liver, Increases risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma, and dementia |
| Subcutaneous fat location | Just under the skin |
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What You'll Learn
White fat is the body's main energy store
Adipose tissue, otherwise known as body fat, is a connective tissue that extends throughout the body. It is found under the skin (subcutaneous fat), between internal organs (visceral fat), and even in the inner cavities of bones (bone marrow adipose tissue).
White fat is the body's main type of fat cell. It is made up of large, white cells that are stored under the skin or around the organs in the belly, arms, buttocks, and thighs. These fat cells are the body's way of storing energy for later use. White fat is important for storing energy in the form of triglycerides, heat insulation, and mechanical cushioning. White fat also produces hormones like leptin and adiponectin. Leptin controls appetite, while adiponectin increases insulin sensitivity and decreases inflammation.
Brown fat, on the other hand, is important for temperature control through heat production. It is primarily found in babies and adults retain only a very small amount, typically in the neck, upper chest, shoulders, and stomach. Brown fat burns energy and produces heat in certain conditions, like cold weather. It improves metabolism and reduces the risk of diseases.
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Brown fat is important for temperature control
Brown fat, also known as brown adipose tissue, is a type of body fat that plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature. It is highly specialised for non-shivering thermogenesis, helping to maintain body temperature, especially in cold conditions.
Brown fat is composed of small fat cells called adipocytes, which are rich in mitochondria. These mitochondria give brown fat its distinctive colour and are responsible for heat production. When the body gets cold, brown fat activates and generates heat by burning calories, thus regulating body temperature. This process is particularly important for newborns, who have a significant amount of brown fat—up to 5% of their body weight—located on their back, neck, and shoulders. Brown fat helps prevent hypothermia, a major risk factor for premature infants.
In adults, brown fat is present in much smaller amounts, constituting less than 0.5% of body weight. It is found in various parts of the body, including the neck, kidneys, adrenal glands, chest cavity, and along the spine. People with higher amounts of brown fat tend to be leaner and healthier, as brown fat improves metabolism and reduces the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure.
The presence of brown fat can be protected and maintained through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and exposure to cooler temperatures. Its ability to burn calories and regulate temperature makes brown fat a focus of research in the field of weight loss and obesity prevention. By understanding and harnessing the positive traits of brown fat, scientists hope to develop new methods to improve health and treat obesity.
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Beige fat is a relatively new area of research
Adipose tissue, otherwise known as body fat, is a connective tissue that extends throughout the body. It is found under the skin (subcutaneous fat), between internal organs (visceral fat), and even in the inner cavities of bones (bone marrow adipose tissue).
There are three main types of fat cells: white, brown, and beige. White fat is the most common type, and it is the body's main form of energy storage. It is made up of large, white cells that are stored under the skin or around organs in the belly, arms, buttocks, and thighs. Brown fat, on the other hand, is primarily found in babies and is responsible for temperature control through heat production. Adults retain a very small amount of brown fat, typically in the neck and shoulders.
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Visceral fat is linked to cardiovascular disease
There are several different types of fat in the body, each serving a different role. Some types of fat are necessary for good health, while others can contribute to life-threatening diseases. The main types of fat cells are white, brown, and beige cells, which can be stored as essential, subcutaneous, or visceral fat.
Visceral fat, also known as "belly fat" or "active fat", is the white fat that's stored in the abdomen and around major organs, such as the liver, kidneys, intestines, pancreas, and heart. It is different from subcutaneous fat, which is found just beneath the skin. While some visceral fat is healthy and helps protect organs, too much can be harmful.
Secondly, visceral fat is associated with insulin resistance, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, visceral fat may lead to higher levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and a subsequent increase in cardiovascular risk.
Finally, visceral fat may also be linked to high blood pressure or hypertension. This is due to the production of certain proteins that inflame body tissues and organs, narrowing the blood vessels and causing an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the link between visceral fat and hypertension further reinforces the association between visceral fat and cardiovascular disease.
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Subcutaneous fat is the fat just under the skin
Body fat is made up of two primary types of fat: subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is the fat just under the skin. It is the fat that you can grab and pinch between your fingers. It is the deepest layer of your skin, after the epidermis and dermis. It serves many functions, including storing energy, protecting your muscles and bones from impact, and acting as a passageway for nerves and blood vessels between your skin and muscles.
Subcutaneous fat is necessary for the body and may even protect against some diseases. However, too much subcutaneous fat can be a sign of having too much visceral fat, which is harmful to health. Genetics play a role in determining the amount of subcutaneous fat a person has, but environmental factors, such as diet and physical activity, also contribute significantly to its development over time. A non-healthy diet with high amounts of fatty foods and an inactive lifestyle are the main factors that can lead to an increase in subcutaneous fat.
To reduce subcutaneous fat, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise. The basic principle of losing subcutaneous fat through diet is to consume fewer calories than you burn. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend a diet high in fruits, vegetables, fibre, whole grains, and nuts, with lean proteins such as soy, fish, or poultry, while being low in added sugars, salt, red meat, and saturated fats. Additionally, aerobic exercise is recommended for burning calories and includes activities such as walking, running, cycling, and swimming.
It is important to note that spot-reducing subcutaneous fat is not possible, and aiming for overall fat loss is the key to shedding subcutaneous fat. Furthermore, managing mental health and stress levels is crucial, as chronic stress can cause the body to release cortisol, a hormone that can undermine weight loss efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
The human body contains two types of fat tissue: white fat and brown fat. White fat is the body's main type of fat cell and is used for storing energy. Brown fat is important for temperature control through heat production.
White fat is the most abundant type of fat in the body and is used for storing energy in the form of triglycerides, heat insulation, and mechanical cushioning. It is largely found in the chest, belly, and legs. Brown fat, on the other hand, is important for temperature control through heat production. It burns energy and produces heat in certain conditions, like cold weather. People with more brown fat tend to be leaner and healthier.
According to the American Council on Exercise, men who are non-athletes should have a total body fat percentage between 14% and 24%. For women who are non-athletes, the recommended range is between 21% and 31%. However, it is important to note that these percentages can vary depending on factors such as fitness level, physical activity, age, and sex.
