Part 2.

Fat cell enzymes, and hormones for fat loss

Fat loss is also under the control of receptors and enzymes on and in the fat cell. Whereas fat storage occurs under conditions of feeding, exposure to high blood sugar, insulin, and in a resting state, the breakdown and release of stored fat from the fat cell occurs in the "fasted" state, in hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), under the influence of counter-regulatory hormones to insulin, and during activity or stress. Because the fat cell must break down the stored triglycerides before transferring the fatty acid and glycerol into the blood, there are a number of enzymes involved.

5. However, the signals for this process arrive through the circulation, interacting with specific receptors. While fat storage responds to insulin, there are a number of hormones that oppose the actions of insulin: Glucagon, cortisol, epinephrine and adrenaline, natriuretic peptides, and growth hormone. When glucose concentrations become dangerously low (the brain is highly dependent on glucose), these protective hormones are sent to get rid of energy to feed the brain. Most other tissues can use fatty acids for energy, in fact, some prefer to burn fat over sugar (for example, heart muscle). Thus, stored fat is released to provide energy for the liver, muscles, heart, and other organs; this over and above the glucose that is available to the brain. Furthermore, anti-regulatory hormones also tend to break down muscle proteins to release amino acids into the bloodstream. Certain amino acids can be converted into glucose, while others are converted into ketones, which can be used by multiple tissues.

A hormone that plays a key role in fat loss is actually reduced during prolonged fasting—thyroid hormone. People who undergo prolonged periods of very low-calorie dieting often reduce their total energy expenditure (daily calories burned) through this process.

6. Exercise and fasting

Fasting doesn't have to last for days. Some promote alternate-day fasting (or very low calorie intake) to increase the use of stored fat.

7. Fasting can refer to any period of time between meals that is long enough to increase nutrient availability and subsequent hormonal and metabolic responses. Most people wake up in the morning in a fasted state, having gone eight or more hours without eating. Some people will perform low-intensity aerobic exercise in the early morning to enhance the release of fat from fat cells, as well as the burning of newly available calories in active muscle. It is important to avoid high-intensity or prolonged aerobic exercise in a fasted state, as this will lead to unwanted muscle loss (catabolism).

8. In addition, "thermogenic" supplements can add to this fat loss by activating the rate of calorie burning in muscle and brown fat.

A compound present in olive leaves (oleuropein) demonstrates potential in this area, as it may increase uncoupling—a process that increases fatty acid oxidation (burning) in muscle and brown fat.

How fat cells communicate with the brain

Finally, it is important to realize that the fat cell is not just a Ziploc bag. It communicates with the brain and other tissues of the body to report on energy stores and overall health. When fat cells become too large, the message sent is changed from one that promotes healthy appetite patterns, consumption, and body functions to a state of chronic disease, leading to overeating, lower metabolism (reduced total energy expenditure), hormonal dysfunction, and a state of inflammation that increases damage to numerous other processes in the body.

9. Adipokines Fat cells release two main adipokines, or fat cell hormones, called leptin and adiponectin.

10. In a healthy, normal-weight person, leptin signals how much stored energy is available. It is important for the body to know that the “tanks are full” before engaging in something metabolically demanding, such as building muscle mass. Lepin performs this function (although there are other pathways involved) through specific areas and receptors in the brain. Obese people are not leptin deficient, they are leptin resistant. Similar to insulin, they maintain a high concentration of leptin in their bloodstream due to the sheer size of their fat mass. When the leptin signal is always “on,” the body learns to ignore it. This leads to near-constant hunger, a slower metabolic rate (less calorie burning), and affects fertility and other functions.

Adiponectin is a separate adipokine that actually signals for healthy changes, such as increased insulin sensitivity. Unlike leptin, which increases with increasing fat mass, adiponectin levels decrease as adiponectin cells become hypertrophic. This means that the fat cell signals that it is malfunctioning and tries to divert calories away from storage, resulting in ectopic fat deposition. Ectopic fat is a starting point for metabolic dysfunction in the liver, muscle, arteries, and more.

Change your lifestyle

It would be great if we could control fat loss 100%! And also, the process can be helped with specific medications or supplements. However, the foundation for success in losing fat mass is, as always, lifestyle modification. It will take time, but the results are always dependent on