Page 19 - WIM Hoff Method

Brown fat can be detected by a new measuring method (PET-CT scan) (Nedergaart,

Bengtsson & Cannon, 2007). The presence of brown fat in adults has been

evidenced in a recent study, according to which brown fat is also present in young

adults. It appears that brown fat tissue can also be activated by cold (van Marken-

Lichtenbelt et al., 2009). This fat tissue is already activated at 18°C. During this

process, fatty acids are removed from the body to provide it with the heat it requires
(Carpentier, 2011).

Another study indicates that the lower the temperature, the more brown fat tissue

is activated to heat the body (Ouellet et al., 2011). The study by van Marken
Lichtenbelt et al. (2009) also showed that overweight people had little or no brown

fat (WHM and its applications are discussed in more detail here). It was also

investigated whether brown fat levels decrease over the years (Ouellet at al., 2011).

The study by van Marken Lichtenbelt et al. (2011) involved measuring Hof's brown

fat levels at neutral room temperature and in an environment with a temperature of

11°C, wearing only bathing trunks. The results showed that brown fat levels could

be detected in Hof at a neutral room temperature.

It also appeared, however, that Hof had as much brown fat tissue as the average

young adult when measured in the cold. The results imply that brown fat

contributed to heat production. It also indicated that brown fat could be retained by

means of low-temperature training, irrespective of a person's age.

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