Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've heard white fat is the stuff you DON'T want and brown fat is the one that is used for energy. What are some good ways of increasing brown fat?

flag	asked Nov 29 2011 at 23:31 April S.♦ 11.9k●1●13●47

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Turn yourself into a mouse. – Matt Nov 29 2011 at 23:37

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Yes, like Peter Pettigrew. Harry Potter nerdiness aside, I have read some of the studies they've done on mice and wondering if it can be completely applied to humans. – April S.♦ Nov 29 2011 at 23:52

Evelyn aka CarbSane · Answer 1 · 2011-11-29 23:37:52Z UTC

You can somewhat successfully alter where your white fat is stored (subQ vs. visceral), but brown fat is like a separate tissue almost. It is more important in adults for small animals as it's thermogenic. While we have it, it's not huge. Apparently you can activate it by sitting in cold rooms with your feet in ice water baths. Shivering induces thermogenesis.

Jeff · Answer 2 · 2011-11-30 00:19:44Z UTC

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I think what you're asking is how to optimize fat burning via UCPs.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/78385/where-do-the-calories-go/78418#78418

To optimize nighttime fat burning you need leptin sensitivity and good thyroid function, among other things.

A solid paleo diet should provide those things.

answered Nov 30 2011 at 0:19

Jeff
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That answer is great. I didn't see a whole lot about UPC-1 though. What are your thoughts on increasing BAT through cold exposure? – lil' Richard frm tx fan Nov 30 2011 at 1:53

Thanks, yeah I'm not sure yet about UCP1. While cold exposure might increase BAT, it might cause more subcutaneous fat to store up so that wouldn't be very helpful. I think making sure UCPs2-5 are functioning optimally would be the best idea. – Jeff Nov 30 2011 at 3:03

There doesn't seem to be as much literature about modulating UCP1, I'll keep my eyes open though. – Jeff Nov 30 2011 at 3:18

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Cool, thanks for the reply. That's interesting about subcutaneous fat increasing. My Hawaiian high school teacher claimed that Polynesians had more fat as insulation from the seawater they spent so much time in. I'm not one myself but most wouldn't know it to look at me. I swam in the ocean a lot, slept with open windows year-round. Heat rises from me in waves but I've also had a layer of "insulation" nearly my entire life as well. – lil' Richard frm tx fan Nov 30 2011 at 3:33

Mscott · Answer 3 · 2011-11-30 01:18:22Z UTC

One of the best ways is cold exposure. It has been observed that rats exposed to cold temperatures eventually adapt by increasing the activity of their brown fat (1)(2).

This likely occurs in humans as well, one commonly cited example being Korean pearl divers who spend several hours a day in cold water have a large amount of brown fat (3).

Personally I love a freezing shower or a swim in some cold water, but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.

(1)http://ajpcell.physiology.org/content/239/5/C208.short (2)http://jcb.rupress.org/content/23/1/89.abstract (3)http://www.jstor.org/pss/40511074

Matthius · Answer 4 · 2011-11-29 23:34:06Z UTC

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I was under the impression that brown fat stores were largely determined by genetics. I could be wrong.

answered Nov 29 2011 at 23:34

Matthius
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conciliator · Answer 5 · 2011-11-29 23:54:28Z UTC

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Brown adipose tissue is more related to muscle than white adipose tissue.

answered Nov 29 2011 at 23:54

conciliator
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Adulescens Appetens · Answer 6 · 2011-11-30 03:24:27Z UTC

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Taking cold showers would be an excellent day-to-day way to do this.

answered Nov 30 2011 at 3:24

Adulescens Appetens
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	Would putting an ice pack on let's say your tummy have the same effect or does it need to be a systemic thing? – April S.♦ Nov 30 2011 at 15:25
	All you have to do is regularly expose yourself to the cold, so whatever way works for you. – Adulescens Appetens Dec 1 2011 at 2:33

How to turn white fat into brown fat

6 Answers