Dr. Axe Wire · Labs & diagnostics · health

AI Scan Of 101,243 Patients Links Brown Fat To Fewer Diagnoses

A massive AI-powered scan of cancer-center patients found brown fat activity tracks with healthier hearts, blood sugar and even mental health.

By Dr. Axe Editorial Team · October 22, 2026 · 1 source · Watch

Photo: Pexels

A study published October 14, 2026 in Nature used artificial intelligence to scan records from 101,243 cancer-center patients, finding fewer cardiovascular and psychiatric diagnoses in those with detectable brown fat.

101,243patients scanned

8,700had BAT quantified

Researchers at a large cancer center used AI to mine medical records and imaging from 101,243 patients for conditions linked to brown fat, the metabolically active tissue that burns calories as heat rather than storing them. Across the full group, cardiovascular and psychiatric diagnoses were less common in patients with detectable brown fat. A machine-learning method then semi-automatically measured brown fat activity in roughly 8,700 of these patients. Higher activity, especially in fat near the armpit, was linked to lower odds of cardiometabolic disease, healthier fat distribution, better blood sugar, cholesterol, inflammatory markers, and heart ultrasound readings. A medication analysis found angiotensin receptor blocker users were more likely to have detectable brown fat. The team then tested losartan, one such drug, and reported it increased brown fat activity and whole-body energy expenditure.

Brown fat burns glucose and fat for heat, so more active tissue being linked to better blood sugar and leaner body composition fits existing biology. The authors frame the losartan result as a potential drug-repurposing lead, suggesting an existing blood pressure medication could help activate this tissue in humans.

101,243patients

Number of cancer-center patients whose medical records were analyzed by AI for brown fat-linked health conditions

Nature, 2026, Gómez-Banoy et al.

This is a records-based AI analysis, not a controlled trial, so the brown fat links show association, not proof that it prevents disease. The losartan testing is described only briefly as proof of concept, without reported dose, duration, sample size, or measurement methods.

Dr. Axe’s Take

Losartan doesn't address why someone's brown fat is inactive in the first place—usually a sedentary life at a constant comfortable temperature with little muscle. Adding this drug to chase a brown fat effect means taking on its real costs: a known side effect profile including dizziness, elevated potassium and kidney changes needing monitoring, especially combined with other blood pressure medications. I'd rather build brown fat the way physiology already rewards: brief cold exposure like cold showers, and resistance training, which also helps regulate blood sugar. If you're on losartan, don't change it on your own; any change happens with your prescriber.

— Dr. Axe

Take the Cellular Health Quiz →

Story summary

Who: 101,243 patients at a large cancer center; brown fat activity measured in about 8,700 of them
Design: Retrospective, AI-driven analysis of clinical records and imaging; proof-of-concept drug testing
Dose: Losartan dose not reported
Primary result: Cardiovascular and psychiatric diagnoses were less prevalent in patients with detectable brown fat
Secondary: Higher brown fat activity, especially near the armpit, linked to lower cardiometabolic disease odds, healthier fat distribution, better blood sugar, lipids, inflammatory markers and heart ultrasound findings; angiotensin receptor blocker use linked to brown fat presence
Funding / conflicts: Funding and conflicts not reported in the abstract.
Date: Oct 14, 2026