According to new research from Kyoto University in Japan, fat cells transmogrify — just like creatures who change from human form into an animal. Think Michael J. Fox in "Teen Wolf" (1985) and characters like "Star Trek's" Odo, who change from liquid to solid, and back again.

And it's surprisingly easy to get fat cells to make that change.

Fat cells come in three varieties: brown, beige, and white. Brown fat cells keep body temperature stable and metabolize the fuel you consume. White fat cells are for storage — that's where unused calories hang out until you need them for energy. Beige cells do store fat, but they can metabolize fuel, like brown fat cells, and can be created from white fat cells when your body needs fuel.

We know that regular exercise helps you shed white fat. But you may need extra help with fat-busting, and now you've got it.

The Japanese researchers found that just getting a daily dose of omega-3 DHA (they got it from fish oil) activates receptors in the digestive tract, fires the sympathetic nervous system, and induces white fat storage cells to turn into fat-burning beige cells.

We say, go for 900 mg daily of DHA omega-3 algal oil instead of fish oil, because algae is where the fish get their omega-3s.

If you exercise plus take algal DHA omega-3 oil, you'll slow down the accumulation of white fat and shed even more weight.

And you'll lower your blood triglycerides and increase your good HDL cholesterol. Then you'll howl with happiness at your own transmogrification!