Just Freeze Those Fat Cells

at 2:12 PM

From the Wellness section of the Wall Street Journal- Sept. 14, 2010


Two new technologies are on the market now and have been cleared by the FDA (Since FDA has been so vigilant about our eggs being safe, then their word is gospel).  The first device is Zeltiq which grabs onto the fat cells around the hips, then freezes these cells and as a result the fat cells die over several months.  No anesthesia or down time needed.  The other technique is Zerona.  This is a low level laser which forces fat cells to empty their content.  Into the blood stream?  That does not sound safe to me at all!!  This fact is worrying some experts.

What we need to understand about fat cells, and  the fact that techniques that stimulate these cells artificially may not be without risks, is that fat cells produce a bunch of hormones, they are far from inert.  For example they help regulate growth, puberty, and healing among other functions.  One of the most important hormones that fat cells produce is leptin which signals the brain to eat more or less.

In general fat cells around the hips and thighs are benign whereas those surrounding the internal organs (visceral fat) can be more dangerous.   These techniques only target the subcutaneous fat (the unsightly fat under the skin) and not the visceral kind.  So for that to go away, or actually for those fat cells to get smaller we still need to lose weight the old fashion way: Eat less, move more.