Do you feel colder than others? This is the biological reason you should know

A new study published in Nature reveals that the decline in brown fat activity with age is the main factor behind increased sensitivity to cold. Researchers identified neural and immune mechanisms that control heat production and partially restored function in mice using an existing drug.

A new study published in the journal Nature reveals that the decline in brown (thermogenic) fat activity is the main reason older people feel cold more intensely. Unlike white fat, which stores energy, brown fat burns calories to generate heat. Researchers found that its activity weakens with age, and signals from the nervous and immune systems regulate the balance between active brown fat cells. In experiments with older mice, the response to cold was slower, and they struggled to maintain body temperature. Similar findings were observed in human brown fat samples. The researchers partially restored heat production in mice using an existing drug, suggesting the possibility of restoring activity. The findings are also important for understanding metabolic issues such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.