Shiver And Shed Pounds, Study Suggests

A study conducted in the U.S. discovered how brown fat communicates with muscle via specific hormones. During exposure to cold – and especially when shivering for about 15 minutes – the hormone levels rise about the same amount as when exercising moderately for an hour. The hormones stimulate conversion of energy-storing “white fat” into energy-burning “brown fat”. About 50 g of white fat stores more than 300 calories of energy a day, while 50 g of brown fat burns 300 kilocalories a day. Transforming white fat into brown fat – by exercising or shivering – “could protect animals against diabetes, obesity and fatty liver”, the researchers said. And glucose levels are lower in humans with more brown fat.