Good vs. Bad Fat - Good Can Win, with Some Help

Who hasn't said they want to lose a few pounds? A recent discovery could aid this commonplace plea. Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston found a protein that induces bone growth also induces the development of "good" fat, known at brown fat. Brown fat, opposed to its relative while fat, helps burn calories for generating heat. White fat stores calories and contributes to obesity. 

The protein, known at BMP-7, could be used to prevent obesity, the researches said. People who are genetically inclined to gain weight could benefit from the research down the road. By studying fat development, scientists hope to form new treatments. Of course, diet and exercise still remain the best ways to control weight, but with more research people who just can't shed the pounds may be able to.     

(Originally reported by the Washington Post.)