It is not easy to believe but perhaps our grandmothers were right to say that a little fat is always good. The important thing is that the fat is the right one. The confirmation of this popular belief comes from science. A very recent American study has discovered the properties of beige fat, one of the three present in the body, to prevent some very serious diseases. It sounds incredible but this fat protects the heart and reduces the risk of dementia. Let’s see why and what are the benefits for the body.
The 3 types of fat present in the body
Our body contains three different types of adipose tissue. The first and most common is white fat. The cells that compose it are the white adipocytes and function as a real “store” of energy for the body. They are the ones who determine the weight and physical structure of the body and when the number becomes excessive they cause problems with overweight and obesity.
Brown fat, on the other hand, is less present and has the task of keeping the body temperature constant. Brown adipocytes are found in the neck area and tend to decrease in number with age. It is for this reason that as adults we are more sensitive to cold and temperature changes.
Science has also recently discovered a third type of fat, the beige one. We can find it inside the white fat and it has a fundamental function: to dispose of the fats accumulated with food. The merit is all of a hormone linked to muscle tissue, irisin, which transforms white fat into beige fat. But this is not the only benefit it can bring to our health.
It sounds incredible but this fat protects the heart and reduces the risk of dementia
Recent scientific research demonstrated two other amazing properties of beige grease. The first is its protective effect on the cells of the heart. According to a study published in Nature, those with a higher percentage of beige fat are less likely to experience diabetes and high cholesterol. And above all of contracting artery disease and heart failure.
The second property is the protective effect of beige fat on brain cells. To find out a group of researchers from the University of Augusta. According to the latest study, beige fat triggers an anti-inflammatory reaction on the cells of the nervous system and on the meninges. And consequently it reduces the risk of dementia. A research still in an experimental phase but which bodes well in the future to also cure neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Deepening
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