# Brain signal discovered that causes the body to burn fat

# Scientists Found an "Off Switch" for Stubborn Fat: The Brain Can Burn Even Bone Marrow **A revolutionary discovery by American researchers: a special signal from the brain triggers the breakdown of fat deposits that had resisted diets and gym workouts for years.** As reported by **TUT.AZ**, a team from Washington University School of Medicine has discovered a mechanism capable of "melting" the body's most stubborn fat reserves—including those hidden deep within bones. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Metabolism. The scientists focused their attention on the hormone leptin and its interaction with the brain. The researchers concentrated on mysterious fat cells residing in bone marrow. Few people know this, but in an adult human, nearly 70% of bone marrow is fat. Moreover, it's a special kind of fat: it stubbornly ignores any weight loss attempts, whether strict dieting or grueling workouts. The secret to its "invulnerability" lies in the increased production of proteins that block breakdown. Experiments on laboratory mice yielded striking results. When leptin was injected directly into the animals' brains, the body seemed to receive a command for a total "fat-burning operation." The mice showed decreased blood sugar and insulin levels, the protective proteins in fat cells retreated—and within just a few days, fat reserves virtually disappeared. Most surprisingly, appetite and food consumption remained unchanged. However, scientists urge caution. Such "untouchable" fat depots exist for good reason—they protect bones from fractures and surround vital organs. Their uncontrolled loss in severe chronic diseases can lead to serious health problems. Nevertheless, the discovery opens up two promising directions at once. On one hand, it will help develop methods for preserving fatty tissue in patients with cachexia—a life-threatening wasting condition. On the other hand, controlled intervention targeting stubborn fat deposits could become a breakthrough in the fight against obesity.