What does brown fat look like?

Tiny molecules make up brown fat and those molecules are fat cells. Molecules consist of fatty acids and glycerol. The anatomy of brown fat resembles muscle more than it resembles other fat in your body because the cells that store brown fat in tissues (adipocyte) are smaller.

When fat collects within your body, fat molecules lump together to create a mass. Brown fat looks like a small, brown, lumpy oval.

Why is brown fat the color brown?

Fat in your body has different colors that designate its function. Brown fat is brown because the fat cells are full of mitochondria. Mitochondria is made up of a lot of iron, which gives brown fat its color.

Where is brown fat located?

Brown fat in newborns is located in their back, neck and shoulders. During childhood and adolescence, brown fat scatters around the body. Brown fat in adults is located around the neck, kidneys, adrenal glands, heart (aorta) and chest (mediastinum).

How much brown fat is in my body?

The amount of fat in your body varies from person to person. You have less brown fat than white fat in your body.

In newborns, brown fat makes up 2% to 5% of their total body weight. During childhood and adolescence, the amount of brown fat reduces. As an adult, you have a small amount of brown fat. People who are lean, like athletes, have more brown fat in their bodies than others.

How do I get fat in my body?

You get fat from the foods you eat. Fat is essential because it produces energy. There are a lot of different foods that provide good sources of fat, including:

• Avocados.
• Nuts and seeds (cashews, chia seeds, flax seeds).
• Fish (salmon, fresh tuna).
• Yogurt.

Always combine foods that have good fat with vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy to eat a well-balanced diet.

Foods you should avoid to prevent unhealthy fat from collecting in your body include:

• Saturated fats (processed foods, margarine, white chocolate, desserts).
• Trans fats (fried foods, frozen foods).

How do I increase the amount of brown fat cells in my body?

People might want to increase the amount of brown fat in their bodies if they want to lose weight and burn calories. You can take steps to increase the amount of brown fat in your body by:

• Lowering the temperature: Brown fat activates at colder temperatures, right before you start shivering. Some studies suggest turning down the thermostat, taking a cold shower or an ice bath could activate brown fat to help your body produce more to burn more calories.
• Adding iron to your diet: You build fat from the foods you eat. As brown fat is rich in iron, choose iron supplements or food items rich in iron, like meat and seafood, whole grains, leafy vegetables and beans, to make sure your body gets enough iron to keep your fat cells healthy.
• Eating a well-balanced diet: Nutrition is vital for your health, especially if you want to increase brown fat in your body. Research shows that some foods like apples and dried fruit contain a chemical that activates brown fat production called ursolic acid. Eat enough food to satisfy your appetite and avoid overeating or eating processed foods.
• Exercising: Staying active is a great way to maintain good health. Studies suggest that exercise activates your body’s blood hormone irisin, which tells white fat in your body to burn like brown fat. This process creates “beige fat.”