People once thought fat cells were inert storage depots for extra calories. However, we now know fat cells secrete certain hormones and other substances. For example, fat secretes:
Leptin: signals the brain about the amount of energy in the body, helps controls appetite
Adiponectin: Makes the body more sensitive to insulin and controls blood sugar levels.
New research identifies that fat secretes:
80 different proteins!
20 proteins not previously detected.
BOTTOM LINE:
Fat actively secretes substances into the blood, which influence other tissue. Findings could pave the way for a better understanding of the role that hormone-secreting fat cells play in heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases.
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