Buzzing Stops Fat

Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Rubin explained that the vibrations, "also reduced key risk factors in the onset of type II diabetes."
Rubin explains that his interest is in how physical signals – outside influences of mechanical, electrical and thermal signals – can influence the body. While his research has centered on bones, that work has taken a temporary detour into fat because both bone cells and fat cells, along with muscle, come from the same stem cells. Stem cells are special cells the body generates that can then turn into other cells as the body needs them.

Rubin describes the physical signals impact on the body as similar to a truck driving over the bridge and temporarily slightly deforming the bridge. He says, "What happens (in the body) is the bones are actually (slightly) deformed (through exercise). Our studies are really looking at and our focus has always been on how these little distortions or loads in the bone signal cells to stimulate adding bone or to take it away."

He says they began studying fat when, "We thought that 'hey' if these mechanical signals are actually stimulating stem cells to become bone cells, maybe they're not becoming fat cells."

Rubin monitors vibration in test apparatus.

What is noteworthy is how little vibration is needed to coax the stem cells in these growing mice to produce bone, instead of fat. Rubin says it's about, "one one-thousandth of the magnitude of a signal you might get while you're running."

Rubin sums up the research as trying to test if the stem cells can be influenced. He says, "We're thinking of these (stem) cells, these precursors to fat or to bone having to make a choice… The evidence is there that we are helping the stem cells make that decision."

Rubin is quick to point out that they were not studying whether vibrations could burn any fat that's already present, but instead to inhibit production of new fat cells. He says that's important because, "If you never allow fat cells to be established, you can't get fat."

The research could have implications in cases such as preventing childhood obesity, an increasingly common situation that's been blamed on eating habits and lack of exercise. He says, "if we could suppress the formation of fat cells, we could actually suppress the incidence of obesity.

Rubin cautions that the research does not mean it's time to go for a ride on your washing machine or seek out other mechanical vibrations. He warns vibrations can cause many kinds of medical problems. Instead, especially for adults who already have pounds they need to shed, the best way to lose that fat is through the basics, diet and exercise.

This research was published online the week of October 22, 2007 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was funded through grants from the National Institutes of Health, NASA and with a W.H. Coulter Translational Research Award.