I'm sure we all know what fat is but has anyone ever explained to you how it ends up on our bodies? We package and store fat when we eat more than we burn through our metabolism. Our metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in the body, not just the burning of consumed calories. The basic law of thermodynamics is that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it may only be transferred. I.e. the energy we eat has to go somewhere. If it's not expanded as heat, movement or another metabolic process we have to store it and our body's favourite storage method is fat!!
The role of body fat in the body is to protect via cushioning and insulation and also to be used for energy in times of famine. The storage and packaging of body fat can come from the consumption of too much fat, too much carbohydrate and even too much protein (although, that process requires unique conditions).
The body in general tends to follow these rules:
1. Excess dietary fat is directly stored as body fat
2. Excess dietary carbs increase the use of carbs for energy whilst at the same time impairing our bodies ability to use fat as fuel. This will cause more dietary fat to be stored as body fat.
3. Excess dietary protein increases protein oxidisation thus impairing fat oxidisation causing more dietary fat to be stored as body fat. This means that no matter what combo of macronutrient content we eat, if we eat more than we expend we will store the excess as energy. (Remember fat is stored energy.)
Some of the other factors that affect how our bodies process nutrients are:
• Total daily energy expenditure
• Body composition
• Hormones
• Genetics
• Age
• Our GI microbiome
• The type of food we eat
Simply put, energy balance is the main factor effecting weight loss or gain. To learn more about how to lose weight, get fit, build muscle, and live a balanced lifestyle get in touch with us at Vision Personal Training Bondi Junction.
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
