The hormone Irisin is released from muscle tissue during cold thermogenesis.
Irisin is involved in the “browning” of white fat into so-called “beige” fat. Irisin also lowers myostatin, which allows for greater muscle growth. Irisin has been shown to function as a “neuro-protectant” of brain tissue, and can kills certain types of cancer tissue. Irisin has even been shown to lengthen DNA telomeres, thus promoting longevity!
Irisin turns regular white fat into “beige” fat, which has some of the properties of brown fat. That is to say, beige fat can burn glucose and free fatty acids to generate heat during cold stress.
Irisin lowers the signaling protein myostatin… which allows an increase in muscular growth.
Irisin has been shown to increase substances in the brain that protects neurons.
Irisin has also been shown to stifle and even kills breast cancer tissue in the lab.
Irisin lengthens telomeres, the chromosomes on the ends of DNA strands which shorten as we age.