General

A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Body Fat


Dietary recommendations suggest that 25-35% of our calories come from fats. This can confuse many people, especially when they spend so much effort trying to lose it!

Fat plays an important role in the body and we store it as adipose tissue. But, not all adipose tissue is created equal.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of body fat.


Brown Adipose Tissue

We need brown fat in our bodies to live. This type of adipose tissue serves many purposes.

Brown fat creates a cushion to protect organs, bones, and other tissues from getting damaged. This essential fat also insulates the body by holding in heat and helping to maintain its normal temperature when exposed to the cold.

Cold temperatures also activate another function of brown adipose tissue, which is to turn the food you eat into energy. Excess blood glucose gets broken down by brown fat. This last function actually aids in weight loss.

A baby’s chub contains mostly brown fat, which helps them receive the energy needed to grow so rapidly. As they grow, they lose their baby fat, so adults only get left with small amounts of brown adipose tissue. They mostly store it in their shoulders and at the nape of the neck.

Beige Adipose Tissue

While you cannot exactly make new brown adipose tissue as an adult, you can help your body produce beige fat. Beige fat comes from white adipose tissue that undergoes browning, and then it functions more like brown fat.

Exposing yourself to cold temperatures can help activate brown fat or create beige fat. The phenol, Resveratrol, found in green tea and cabbage, and Capsaicin, the compound that gives hot peppers their heat, may both help activate brown fat and create beige as well. Exercise may also brown white fat.

White Adipose Tissue

White adipose tissue plays a functional role in the body as well, serving as energy storage. But, this type of fat will keep packing on when your caloric intake exceeds energy expenditure.

Small amounts of white fat protect you from starvation. Too much increases your risk for things like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. Eating balanced meals and exercising daily to offset the calories you take in will help you keep a healthy amount of white adipose tissue on your body.

Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue that grows beneath the skin is called subcutaneous fat. In small amounts, this fat cushions and insulates you and leaves you looking healthy. When too much of this fat interacts with other connective tissues beneath the skin, it bunches up and you get the appearance of cellulite.

Visceral Adipose Tissue

Visceral fat refers to adipose stores that build up in the abdominal region, lining the vital organs. This is the most dangerous type of fat when it grows in excess because of its location. Eat healthily and exercise to lose belly fat.

Keep All Types of Body Fat in Balance

All types of body fat serve a purpose. However, living with too much fat will lead to bigger health problems. Bring your body back to balance and transform your wellness and try fat burners.

Looking for other ways to live well? Find more health tips on our website!


Alex Smith

Education: Masters of Engineering from Cambridge University Expertise Coding and Web development Smart platforms Software reviews Introduction He is a technical expert of software development He loves writing reviews of apps, tools, and software He is fond of coding He is concerned about web security Experience: Alex Smith is a passionate technical writer. He is an M.Tech Degree holder with 6 years of experience in software development. His contents are core-technical with profound grammar. His notions of writing are similar to world-leading personalities and hence technical geeks can rely upon his information blindfolded. He spends all his time researching the most searched technical issues and provides a straightforward solution to it so that his non-tech-savvy readers can take benefit too.

Recent Posts

Cyber Security Marketing Strategy, Advice, And Best Practices

Cybersecurity has grown to be a major worry for both individuals and corporations in the… Read More

3 weeks ago

Sparkling Spaces: The Ultimate Guide to Office Cleaning Services in Atlanta

Key Takeaways: Professional office cleaning services in Atlanta create a positive impression on clients and… Read More

1 month ago

Tips for International Renters: How to Secure a Rental Property in Canada

Have you ever considered renting a property in Canada as an international tenant? Navigating the… Read More

4 months ago

GoMeet Chat – Live Video Chat Alternative to CooMeet

GoMeet is a free video chat app similar to CooMeet that enables you to meet… Read More

5 months ago

The Ultimate Guide to On-Page SEO: Tips and Best Practices for 2024

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, on-page SEO remains a fundamental component for achieving… Read More

6 months ago

The World of Eternal Oud: A Timeless Luxurious Journey

Did you know that Oud is one of the most loved scents in the world?… Read More

6 months ago