What role does brown fat play in our life and health?

If you didn't know, we have white fat and brown fat. Dr. Michaela Bilic explains the role of each type of fat in the body.

“We don't like fat. Neither on the plate nor in the silhouette. But not all fats are the same. There are 2 types of fat in the human body: white fat and brown fat, with different structures and functions.

—White fat it is made up of specialized cells called adipocytes. Their role? To convert calories from food into reserve fat.

White adipose tissue is the body's most important energy reserve; 10-25% of an adult's weight is represented by fat. White adipocytes store excess calories in the form of triglycerides when we eat too much. And they also provide energy in the form of fatty acids when we are on a diet.

-Brown fat also consists of adipocytes, but their role is not in fat accumulation, but produce heat. Brown adipose tissue protects us from the cold, is better vascularized and has more intense metabolic activity compared to white fat.

And at the anatomical level there are differences: white adipocytes consist of one lipid vacuole and several mitochondria, while brown adipocytes contain small lipid vacuoles and many mitochondria. Or the mitochondrion is the cellular organ responsible for adding calories and converting fats into heat.

Bottom line? White fat stores energy and predisposes you to obesity, while brown fat releases energy and helps you lose weight. How to limit white fat production and increase brown fat production? Unfortunately, this does not depend on our will; the differentiation of fat cells is determined genetically.

- Remember that brown adipose tissue is better represented in young people than in adults, and in men than in women. Those who live in cold environments and people who exercise regularly have brown adipose tissue.

The solution to treating obesity may be to stimulate brown adipocytes, speed up metabolism, and increase burning through thermogenesis. Exercise has been shown to be the best method by which we limit the development of white adipose tissue, and cold exposure causes activation of brown adipocytes. So walking in the fresh air, especially in the cold season, really helps you lose weight!” explains Dr. Michaela Bilic.