Scientists discover way to convert 'bad' body fat into calorie-burning fat

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered a way to convert “bad” fat—the kind that accumulates around our stomachs, hips and thighs—into “good” fat, which helps to burn calories and generate heat, initiating what could be a novel treatment for obesity.

Sound too good to be true? In a way, it is—so far, this research team has only seen success in test mice.

“Our goal is to find a way to treat or prevent obesity,” researcher Irfan J. Lodhi, PhD, said in a release. “Our research suggests that by targeting a protein in white fat, we can convert bad fat into a type of fat that fights obesity.”

They plan to do this by blocking a protein known as PexRAP, which is found in white fat, or the fat that isn’t good for our bodies. When the scientists blocked production of PexRAP in mice, their white fat cells started acting more like brown fat, heating up and burning calories.

Lodhi said that if we can find a way to create beige fat—a mix of the good and bad—in humans, it could make weight loss easier, especially for the obese population. It would be challenging, though, since the process could cause humans to overheat easily. Still, Lodhi said, it’s a good place for drug developers to start.

Read more about the research here: