Diets too low in fat may not be helpful to lose fat, and eating at least small amounts of dietary fats might be a better way to fat-burning, say researchers from the Washington University in St. Louis.

Scientists experimented on mice to discover "new" fat sparks a cascade of gene activity in the liver necessary for healthy blood levels of sugar, cholesterol and other fats.

The results are further evidence that extreme diets often aren't the ticket to a lean body, and a balanced diet should include an adequate source of fat.

"Extremes of diet are sometimes unwise, because a balanced diet may be critical for providing certain dietary signals that allow you to respond appropriately to stresses, and one of those stresses is eating too much," said Dr. Clay Semenkovich, a professor of medicine, cell biology and physiology at the University of Washington and co-author of the study.

The new research is published in the May issue of Cell Metabolism.

(Xinhua News Agency/Agencies May 11, 2005)