Types of Body Fat

Ugh, the universally hated word “fat”. While we use this word to broadly describe “all body fat” there are actually different types.

Several categories of fat (essential, visceral, and subcutaneous) store different types of fat cells (white, brown, and beige). Each cell type serves a different role with some promoting a healthy metabolism and hormone levels while others can contribute to diseases.

Fat is stored in different areas of the body including near organs and under the skin. It can be briefly described as:

• ESSENTIAL FAT: this fat is found in your brain, bone marrow, nerves, and membranes and are essential for life and a healthy body.

• VISCERAL FAT: aka “belly fat” are white fat cells that are stored in the abdominal cavity and around organs; high levels of this fat can be harmful to your health.

• SUBCUTANEOUS FAT: refers to fat stored under the skin; a combination of white, brown, and beige cells. Where the majority of our body fat is stored.

CELL TYPES:

• White Fat: made up of large white cells stored under the skin (subcutaneous) or surrounding organs (visceral). These fat cells store energy for later use; too many of these cell types can contribute to disease.

• Brown Fat: primarily found in babies; can help burn fat.

• Beige Fat: a new area of research; thought to be somewhere between white and brown fat; can help burn fat.