Shivering might be as effective as exercise, a latest study claims.
Australian researchers found that shivering ups the levels of hormones called irisn (produced by muscles) and FGF21 (produced by brown fat).
According to the researchers, these hormones are also produced by muscles during exercise. Furthermore, shivering boosts metabolism and produces calorie-burning brown fat. "Excitement in the brown fat field has risen significantly over last few years because its energy-burning nature makes it a potential therapeutic target against obesity and diabetes," said Dr Paul Lee, from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, in a press note released to Science Daily.
"White fat transformation into brown fat could protect animals against diabetes, obesity and fatty liver. Glucose levels are lower in humans with more brown fat."
The study also found that irisin is produced in proportion to shivering intensity. Fat cells in a human body burn more energy and release more heat when they are treated with FNDC5, a precursor of irisin.
The authors also explained that irisin produced through exercise evolves from a similar mechanism that occurs after shivering-related muscle contractions in order to burn calories and generate heat.
"This research may reveal why exercise increases secretion of a hormone that makes the body maintain its internal temperature," Dr Francesco S. Celi of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases said in the release. "Perhaps lowering the thermostat during the winter months could help both the budget and metabolism."
The findings are published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
