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Nonshivering Thermogenesis

Meaning

Nonshivering Thermogenesis (NST) is a physiological process of heat production in the body that occurs independently of muscle contraction, which is known as shivering. This metabolic heat generation primarily takes place in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and skeletal muscle, driven by the uncoupling of the electron transport chain in mitochondria. NST is a key component of energy expenditure and metabolic regulation, offering a powerful mechanism for improving insulin sensitivity and reducing body fat. Clinically, enhancing NST is a strategy for improving metabolic health and body composition by increasing basal energy output.