Do you know 4 types of body fat?

Most of us think that fat (aka fat tissue) is the kitchen cabinet for the body – if we find ourselves in a difficult situation, or on a hike without off-roading, we can dip in a storage system with too many calories. Although this part is correct, there are different types of body fat that can serve a variety of purposes.

So, if you are Losing body fat Or keep it low Percentage of body fatYou may inhibit certain normal functions of the body, such as blood circulation and repair and build new cells.

“Fat is one of the main components of a living, running person,” explains Dr. Gillian Goddard, MD, General endocrinologist and part-time assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Hospital. “Fat is definitely not just an inert storage of excessive energy or excessive calories.”

Understand the effects of body fat and its various types.

1. White fat

“White fat cells are large spots with large droplets of lipid (fat) in the middle, and a little cellular machinery,” Goddard explained. “White fat is the type that mostly provides storage for excess energy.

You may be familiar with two forms of white fat: subcutaneous and visceral.

Subcutaneous fat

For most people, subcutaneous fat is mainly made of white adipocytes and is a layer of fat tissue under the skin. It is found mainly in your arms, legs and abdomen, stores excess calories and helps you keep warm like natural insulation.

“When you maintain a A healthy weightsubcutaneous fat is not metabolically harmful or helpful Insulin resistanceGoddard said. Body positive exerciseit is entirely possible to have curves and stay healthy.

That is, if you have ever seen your own pictures and think twice, because the skin on your legs looks dim (aka) Fat), subcutaneous fat should be blamed. Fat occurs when fat pushes the connective tissue under the skin.

Visceral fat

If you want to call one type of fat “bad fat,” then visceral fat or deep fat will do it. It is formed entirely by white fat cells and around the abdomen and organs. Some visceral fat is normal, but too much is possible Increase risk Diabetes and other serious diseases, such as liver dysfunction.

“Vius fat is one of the biggest factors that stem from the health effects of excess body fat,” Goddard said.

Also the most obvious sign of excess visceral fat is that there is a tough “beer belly”, but you should also pay attention to it Waist size. If you are a woman with a waist circumference of more than 35 inches, or a man with a waist circumference of more than 40, you may have enough visceral fat to negatively affect your health.

2. Brown fat

Defining one of the biggest changes in defining body fat types over the past decade, which is probably the most confusing thing to do – is the addition of a new category: Brown fat.

Compared to white fat, brown adipocytes have lipid droplets and a large number of denser cellular components, which is why they appear brown. These components include mitochondria fatty acid Burn glucose (sugar) to produce calories.

Contrary to all your preconceptions about lazy adipocytes, this is a metabolic active type of fat that is currently being investigated for its potential uses. Treat obesity.

“In the past, it was thought that only babies had brown fat,” Goddard explained. “But adults also had brown fat.” Brown fat helps regulate body temperature, which is why babies are mostly. But once you develop muscle to help you stay warm, you lose most of your “baby fat.”

In adults, it can be found in the area connected to the neck to the trunk, above the clavicle and along the spine. The number of individuals varies.

Although this type of fat burns calories, the benefits are tricky. Unfortunately, it definitely doesn’t involve pouring ice cream.

“Researchers found that exposure to cold temperatures can help build it up,” Goddard said. But it’s not as simple as running on a cold morning in shorts, or standing in the refrigerator to debate ice cream flavors. Some research Exposure to temperatures of 60 degrees or below may trigger its yield.

3. Beige fat

Beige fat occupies a grey area when it comes to fat spectrum. Research recommendations Mice are able to convert white adipocytes into so-called beige fat, and this “browning” of white adipocytes It can happen to humans.

Beige is often found in pea-sized deposits near the nape of the neck and spine, just like brown fat, it burns calories and produces calories. But like brown fat, beige fat is a relatively new discovery, and it is still unknown about it, Goddard said.