Discovery of a protein that aids in weight loss through “thermogenesis”
A team of scientists has identified a protein involved in the production of “good” fats, discovering that it can contribute to enhancing the formation of cells for white fat.
Understanding the mechanism of action of this type of cells capable of burning energy opens doors to new weight loss treatments, which have been a challenge for researchers. According to a report published by the New Atlas website,
This discovery has the potential to help find a solution to the problem of healthy and effective weight loss.
The role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is to produce heat from blood sugar and fat molecules through a process called thermogenesis, and this process consumes a significant amount of energy. Over time, most brown fat cells are replaced by white adipose tissue (WAT), which is less effective in burning energy. In this state, the body acts as a storage space for excess calories, making weight loss difficult.
Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn in Germany believe they have discovered a protein known as EPAC1 that plays a crucial role in the growth of brown fat cells and the conversion of white fat into brown.
Experiments on laboratory mice showed that activating EPAC1 could be the key to increasing brown fat mass and consequently increasing energy consumption.
Targeting this protein could lead to the development of new treatments that make weight loss easier and more effective.
