Light can help to lose weight. Blue sunlight causes fat to melt

Fat cells regulate the amount stored by sunlight

The sun has been worshiped by humanity for its life-giving qualities for thousands of years. That their light also has an influence on human fat storage, however, is new. Our stored winter bacon is obviously a reaction to lack of light. This is proven by researchers from the University of Alberta.

The scientists found that the blue portion of sunlight acts on our subcutaneous adipose tissue. When the blue light penetrates the skin, the fat cells respond to it by shrinking and decreasing their number. Responsible for this reaction is a photosensitive pigment in the fat cells, which also occurs in the retina. The fatty tissue may thus control the amount of storage as the seasons change.

The white adipose tissue under the skin is the most important fat depot of humans and plays a central role in the regulation of the entire body metabolism. If this fatty tissue is disturbed in its function or in abundance, it can lead to obesity or diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Scientists around the world are currently working on new methods to counteract the growing preponderance. The "anti-fat patch" and the "fat burning pill" have recently made headlines. With the realization that blue light also affects fat cells, another potential weapon in the fight against obesity is now available. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal "Scientific Reports".

New research suggests hope for a therapy in which fat is simply reduced by sunlight. (Image: Jürgen Fälchle / fotolia.com)

The discovery was a coincidence

Originally, the researchers wanted to find out whether one can convert fat cells biotechnologically so that they produce insulin on light irradiation. "We observed the reaction by chance in human tissue cells in our negative control experiments, and since there was nothing in the literature, we knew it was important to further investigate," explains Professor Peter Light, lead author of the study and director of the study Alberta Diabetes Institute, in a report from the University of Alberta.

In the beginning was the light

Light speculates that this mechanism could help determine the number of fat cells we produce in childhood. According to Light, this discovery may one day lead to the development of pharmacological or light-based treatments for obesity and other related health problems such as diabetes. But the findings are so far only a first observation. Sunlight is currently not a safe or recommended way to lose weight. "For example, we do not yet know the intensity and duration of light necessary to activate this path," reports Light.

Fat cells as a biological clock

According to Light, the lipid droplets of the fat cells become smaller and are released from the cell when the wavelengths of the blue light of the sun penetrate our skin. "In other words, our cells do not store that much fat," says Light. After several days of exposure to blue light, the shape of the subcutaneous fat cells changed. The fat droplets contained in them became visibly smaller and their number also decreased. This resulted in a significant decrease in the fat content of the cells.

"Based on these findings, the fat cells that we store near our skin may be a peripheral biological clock," says Light.

Subcutaneous fat could play a bigger role than previously thought

Light describes the new discovery as an evolutionary process, aided by the fact that, unlike many other mammals, our fat is distributed right under our skin throughout our bodies. Perhaps this process could sensory-adjust the amount of fat humans burn depending on the season. "You gain weight in the winter and then burn it in the summer," concludes Light.

The fat could have connections to the eye

"It's not a huge leap to assume that light in our eyes and fat cells near our skin has the same effect when it comes to regulating our circadian rhythm," says Light. He explains that the molecular path they have discovered is first activated by the eye when exposed to blue wavelengths in sunlight. The observations revealed many fascinating clues that need to be explored in future studies, the researchers concluded. (Fp)