Researchers discover hormones from the heart that burn fat

Scientists have discovered that hormones released by the heart play a role in burning fat. The hormones turn on molecular mechanisms that burn fat, much like those activated to warm the body when it is exposed to cold. “Exercise is always going to raise your blood pressure some, so there’s the potential that these heart hormones—called cardiac natriuretic peptides—are being released and contributing to the breakdown of fats,” said Sheila Collins, senior author of the study. “Over a period of time, natriuretic peptides could also be leading to an increase in the numbers of brown fat cells, which we know are very important for protection against diet-induced obesity, at least in laboratory experiments.” Brown fat cells are known not just for storing fat but for readily calorie burning, and malfunction in obesity. The study could mean new ways to control the process of burning fat with drugs in obese patients.