There are two types of adipose tissue in the human body: white and brown fat. Unlike white fat, which stores energy, brown fat actively burns it.
The results of the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, were obtained after analyzing PET images of 52 thousand patients at the oncology center. Brown adipose tissue was detected in approximately 10% of the participants.
Scientists noted that among people with brown fat, type 2 diabetes was twice as rare — 5% versus 10% in those who did not have brown fat. They also had lower cholesterol levels — 19% versus 22%.
In addition, the presence of brown fat reduced the risk of heart failure, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure. Even in obese people who retained brown adipose tissue, the likelihood of cardiovascular disorders remained at the level of healthy, non-obese people.
Scientists conclude that brown fat not only improves metabolism, but also has a protective effect on the body, reducing the negative effects of white fat.
