Bursts of vibration can prevent fat in mice: study

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

CHICAGO (AFP) — Short bursts of low intensity vibration can prevent stem cells from turning into fat cells in young mice, according to a study released Monday.

The findings, while only preliminary, suggest that burning or metabolizing calories by vigorous exercise is not the only way to fend off weight gain -- at least in the young.

Mechanical stimulation may prevent fat accumulating in the first place by influencing the development of immature or progenitor cells so that they become muscle or bone cells rather than fat cells.

If the findings can be replicated in humans, it could have implications for the prevention of childhood obesity, the authors said in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Everyone thinks of obesity as...