The average adult has 30-40 billion fat cells, distribution of the cells differs among each of us. Not all these 30 billion fat cells are quite the same, some fat is white fat, and some is brown fat and, yes, we also have something called beige fat! Percentage of brown and white fat in our body cannot be reliably measured yet.
White fat stores our energy
The most abundant fat in the body is termed white fat. The appearance of white fat is sometimes yellow. White fat has a single large fat globule, few blood vessels through and the cells have very few mitochondria. The lack of blood flow makes it pale in color. It insulates us, and stores energy. The energy of white fat releases as triglycerides.
brown fat releases Energy.
Brown fat, or brown adipose tissue (BAT) is the energy powerhouse containing the cellular energy centers of mitochondria. Babies and hibernating bears have a lot of brown fat. Adults actually have some brown fat cells within their white fat cells that is what technically is beige fat. Brown fat cells contain lots of little drops of lipids. These cells also have an abundance of mitochondria. The mitochondria have iron, and that iron content is the source of the brown color. It generates heat to maintain body temperature through very efficient production of ATP energy molecules. You burn calories to produce body heat. heat from is a specialized type of fat that generates heat through a process called thermogenesis.
The Purpose of Beige Fat
In the process of the release white fat has to convert to brown fat, during which it is called beige fat.
Hormones and Peptides Control the Metabolism of Fat
The white fat produces some estrogens and the fat hormone leptin which makes you hungry.
Hormones other than estrogen and leptin affect fat accumulation or fat release including cortisol, epinephrine, glucagon and at least 6 others. Those with excess of white fat are more at risk for heart disease, diabetes, bad knees, sleep disorders, arthritis, and cancer. The exact role of excess brown fat relative to overall health is not completely understood. It is thought that increasing the amount and activity of brown and beige fat activates metabolism and helps normalize weight. The wrong diet and lack of exercise makes you accumulate too much fat, but specifically too much white fat. Furthermore, excess accumulation of white fat makes your brown fat not function effectively. The right kind of diet, such as fish oil consumption can mitigate the effects of excess body white fat.
Coolsculpting Targets White Fat
Coolsculpting body contouring non-invasively targets white fat. It is a cosmetic procedure reducing pockets of excess fat in specific areas of the body. EMSCULPT Neo is another non-invasive body contouring treatment thatcombines both radiofrequency (RF) and high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technologies. It primarily targets and affects the muscles rather than directly targeting fat cells. However, some clinical studies have shown decrease in the deep visceral abdominal fat with EMSCULPT Neo.
Wondering how to control your 30 billion cells, that’s what we want to discuss at call for an appointment!