Increased lipolysis, the breakdown of stored fat, can have both beneficial and detrimental effects depending on the context.
Positive Aspects:
- Energy production: Increased lipolysis releases fatty acids into the bloodstream, which can be used as fuel by various tissues, especially during periods of fasting or exercise.
- Weight loss: When lipolysis exceeds lipogenesis (fat synthesis), it can contribute to weight loss.
- Hormonal regulation: Lipolysis is a complex process influenced by various hormones, including insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol. Increased lipolysis can play a role in maintaining hormonal balance and metabolic homeostasis.
Negative Aspects:
- Lipotoxicity: Excessive lipolysis can lead to an overabundance of free fatty acids in the liver, which can cause steatosis (fatty liver) and other metabolic complications.
- Insulin resistance: Increased lipolysis can decrease insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue, potentially leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- Inflammation: Elevated free fatty acid levels can promote inflammation, which can contribute to various chronic diseases.
Overall, increased lipolysis is not inherently good or bad. The effects depend on the specific context, including the underlying cause, the individual's metabolic health, and other factors.
Examples:
- Exercise: Exercise can increase lipolysis, which is beneficial for energy production and weight loss.
- Fasting: Fasting can also increase lipolysis, providing energy during periods of food deprivation.
- Obesity: In obese individuals, chronic excess lipolysis can contribute to fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.
- Cancer cachexia: In cancer patients, increased lipolysis can contribute to muscle wasting and weight loss.
References:
- Excess lipolysis results in high free fatty acid (FFA) flux into the liver, where FFAs cause steatosis and exert lipotoxic effects. Triglycerides (TAG) synthetized in the liver are secreted into the plasma circulation as very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) causing dyslipidemia.
- The Subtle Balance between Lipolysis and Lipogenesis: A Critical ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4663603/
- Increased Adipose Tissue Lipolysis after a 2-week high-fat diet in ... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21040937/
- Unsuppressed lipolysis in adipocytes is linked with enhanced ... https://www.nature.com/articles/srep17565
