Part II: the intake

When you know all about “lypolysis” or fat breakdown, you know just what to do to start the specific chemical processes that lead to fat burning. You also know exactly what happens to fat cells and their contents when the body calls for releasing stored caloric energy. But you may still be wondering about what happens to these calories, in the form of caloric energy, when they are released.

The Journey
When the contents of fat cells are released in the form of “fatty free acids” or FFAs, the body directs these elements toward the destinations they need them. FFAs latch onto other chemical elements to be transported to “mitochondria”, the parts of cells that some call “energy production centers” where they are delivered as needed. A “gatekeeper element” called lipoprotein lipase (LPL) helps the FFAs get inside the mitochondria.

The Result
As the fat cells empty, they deflate, leading to thinner, leaner tissues that recede to show off the muscles underneath. Different parts of the body deflate their fat cells in different ways. It's important for the individuals who are working on weight loss and fat burning to remember that those fat cells still exist, and will be reloaded with any excess calorie intake. It's very helpful to think of these chemical interactions as just what they are; clear mathematical and scientific exchanges of matter and energy through specific chemical elements and processes. Although we may at first find it tedious, pedantic and confusing, a closer look at the science behind weight loss gives us some very good tools to use in our daily struggle with obesity and overweight conditions.

Other chemical interactions
Science also tells us that similar fat burning exchanges occur when we ingest specific chemicals such as those related to adrenaline, where a “fight or flight” condition promotes the release of fat cell contents in order to fuel the brain and muscles. However, we can see that many of these elements, which are often marketed in “crash diet drugs”, are not safe for sustainable ways to achieve weight loss, but rather, gimmicks that will only provide specific temporary results. We also see that it's nearly impossible to get good results by simply “starving” as some dieters want to do (this unfortunate process is also part of eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia). The science behind fat burning shows us that specific monitoring of caloric intake along with sustained, vigorous and consistent exercise (heightening of the heart rate, caloric expenditure, etc.) is the most stable and healthy way to reduce the contents of our fat cells and leave us with leaner bodies.

Another thing that we learn is that weight loss and fitness are lengthy processes that we pursue over time, and not simply goals to be met overnight. Those who want the best information about their long-term body fat conditions will monitor their diet and exercise over months and years, looking at major changes like pregnancy, aging, and changes in environment, to really see how scientific processes happen in their individual bodies. A good technical description of fat burning helps us tremendously to understand what goes on within ourselves over days, weeks, months and years.

Part I: article about the fat cells