brown fat

noun

1. brownish-yellow adipose tissue in the upper back, or interscapular, region of many mammals, most conspicuously in hibernating species and human newborns, composed of numerous innervated fat cells that can produce heat during cold stress; thermogenic tissue.

brown fat

noun

1. tissue composed of a type of fat cell that dissipates as heat most of the energy released when food is oxidized; brown adipose tissue. It is present in hibernating animals and human babies and is thought to be important in adult weight control

Word History and Origins

Origin of brown fat¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Conducted in mice, the research points to new possibilities for using brown fat to address metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and obesity.

Read more on Science Daily

Unlike white fat, which stores energy, or muscle, which uses it immediately, brown fat helps keep the body warm in cold environments.

Read more on Science Daily

Exposure to cold can increase the amount of brown fat, and scientists have long suggested that activating it could support weight loss by increasing calorie burning.

Read more on Science Daily

"The pathway we've identified could provide opportunities to target the energy expenditure side of the weight loss equation, potentially making it easier for the body to burn more energy by helping brown fat produce more heat," said senior author Irfan Lodhi, PhD, a professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research at WashU Medicine.

Read more on Science Daily

Until now, scientists understood brown fat’s heat production mainly through mitochondria, the energy centers of cells.

Read more on Science Daily