Feeding brown fat: dietary phytochemicals targeting non-shivering thermogenesis to control body weight
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2020-08
Publication Type
Conference Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Excessive adipose accumulation, which is the main driver for the development of secondary metabolic complications, has reached epidemic proportions and combined pharmaceutical, educational and nutritional approaches are required to reverse the current rise in global obesity prevalence rates. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a unique organ able to dissipate energy and thus a promising target to enhance BMR to counteract a positive energy balance. In addition, active BAT might support body weight maintenance after weight loss to prevent/reduce relapse. Natural products deliver valuable bioactive compounds that have historically helped to alleviate disease symptoms. Interest in recent years has focused on identifying nutritional constituents that are able to induce BAT activity and thereby enhance energy expenditure. This review provides a summary of selected dietary phytochemicals, including isoflavones, catechins, stilbenes, the flavonoids quercetin, luteolin and resveratrol as well as the alkaloids berberine and capsaicin. Most of the discussed phytochemicals act through distinct molecular pathways e.g. sympathetic nerve activation, AMP-kinase signalling, SIRT1 activity or stimulation of oestrogen receptors. Thus, it might be possible to utilise this multitude of pathways to co-activate BAT using a fine-tuned combination of foods or combined nutritional supplements.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
79 (3)
Pages / Article No.
338 - 356
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Event
The 13th European Nutrition Conference (FENS 2019)
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Brown adipose tissue; Browning; Energy expenditure; Phytochemicals; Weight management
Organisational unit
03819 - Wolfrum, Christian (ehemalig) / Wolfrum, Christian (former)
03819 - Wolfrum, Christian (ehemalig) / Wolfrum, Christian (former)