Energy balance
Skeletal muscle contributes to facultative thermogenesis in humans through mitochondrial uncoupling, mediated by the thyroid hormone axis and sympathetic nervous system, potentially acting as a major contributor to resting energy expenditure alongside BAT.
Your skeletal muscles also play a role in burning calories at rest, not just during exercise. This process, called mitochondrial uncoupling, is influenced by your nervous system and thyroid hormones. While less studied than brown fat, it suggests that maintaining muscle mass and metabolic health can support your overall energy expenditure.
It is likely that at least a substantial part of NST can be attributed to BAT, but it is possible that other tissues contribute to NST. Several studies on mitochondrial uncoupling indicate that skeletal muscle is another potential contributor to facultative thermogenesis in humans.
Why this rating
The paper states the role is 'unclear' and based on 'limited available literature' and animal studies, though human data is emerging.
Source
Implications of nonshivering thermogenesis for energy balance regulation in humans
Wouter D. van Marken Lichtenbelt et al. · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · 2011
DOI 10.1152/ajpregu.00652.2010
More from this paper
- Sustainable nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in adult humans contributes significantly to energy expenditure, amounting to 15% of average daily energy expenditure and up to 5% of basal metabolic rate, primarily mediated by brown adipose tissue (BAT) and potentially skeletal muscle.Good
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity in adults is negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage, and is absent or significantly reduced in obese and elderly populations.Good
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