A new technology known as cryolipolysis (or the brand name Zeltiq) is allegedly capable of reducing fat with cold instead of heat. Clinical trials on 200 obese Americans by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University have assessed the fat under the skin and on the thighs, abdomen and back to determine if cold is able to break down stored fat.
The noninvasive procedure involves placing a plate-like device directly onto the skin, which is rapidly cooled to reportedly reduce fat approximately -1°C after the plate has been in contact with the skin for up to 20 minutes. A natural inflammatory response occurs, removing the dead fat cells over time and reducing the amount of fat in the body.
Cryolipolysis technology is currently FDA-approved for skin cooling during dermatologic treatments, but approval is still pending for lipolysis (fat reduction).
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