Brown Fat May Enhance Lifespan and Fitness: Research
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Synopsis
A team from Rutgers University discovered that genetically modified mice with enhanced brown fat showed increased lifespan and exercise performance. This research could lead to breakthroughs in healthy aging for humans.
Key Takeaways
- Brown fat significantly improves exercise capacity.
- Genetically modified mice demonstrated 30 percent better performance.
- The study aims to develop drugs for humans.
- Healthful aging is crucial amidst increasing life expectancy.
- New medications are needed to tackle age-related diseases.
New York, March 4 (NationPress) A group of researchers in the United States has uncovered significant findings regarding brown fat, potentially paving a new avenue for assisting individuals in maintaining physical fitness as they grow older.
The research team from Rutgers University’s New Jersey Medical School discovered that mice devoid of a particular gene exhibited a remarkably potent type of brown fat tissue that not only extended their lifespan but also enhanced their exercise capacity by approximately 30 percent.
The researchers are currently developing a medication that might replicate these benefits in humans.
“As individuals age, their exercise capacity declines, and having a method to boost exercise performance would be extremely advantageous for healthy aging,” stated Stephen Vatner, a university professor and the principal author of the study published in Aging Cell.
“This mouse model demonstrates superior exercise ability compared to their typical counterparts,” he added.
In contrast to white fat, which stores energy, brown fat actively burns calories and aids in regulating body temperature. This research has shown that brown fat is also essential in enhancing exercise capacity by improving blood flow to muscles during physical exertion.
The genetically altered mice produced significantly higher levels of active brown fat and exhibited about 30 percent improved exercise performance relative to normal mice, both in terms of speed and endurance.
This revelation is part of a broader investigation into healthy aging. The modified mice, which lack a protein known as RGS14, experience a lifespan increase of about 20 percent compared to standard mice, with females living longer than males—mirroring patterns found in humans.
This breakthrough may eventually enhance human lifespans, specifically the duration in which individuals maintain sound mental and physical well-being.
“Despite all the medical advancements, the aging process and longevity have improved in humans, yet unfortunately, healthy aging has not followed suit,” Vatner remarked.
Numerous ailments are linked to aging, including obesity, diabetes, myocardial ischemia, heart failure, and cancer, and it is imperative to discover new medications based on models of healthy aging, according to the authors.
