Scientists discover switch that turns white fat brown
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - 12:30
in Health & Medicine
Scientists have discovered a biological switch that gives energy-storing white fat the characteristics of energy-burning brown fat. The findings could lead to new strategies for treating obesity. The change is induced by activating a nerve and biochemical pathway that begins in the brain and ends in white fat cells. The study suggests that the transformation can potentially be induced by changes in lifestyle or by pharmacologically activating this brain-fat pathway.