Fat For Fuel (FFF)
The current ideology in the health industry is that through a variety of methods (dieting, exercising etc), one can "burn fat", or turn oneself into a "fat burner". To some degree this is true, but, and it is a big but (no pun intended), every organ is fuelled uniquely. This is not some weird article about sci-fi diets like blood typing, or the metabolic typing diet, it is however, a brief explanation about the varying metabolic needs within the body.
Before we go any further it is imperative that you understand that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the currency of life, the biological source of energy. Not as is assumed, calories, carbs, fats or protein.
ATP is generated via oxidation of various metabolic fuels, namely;
Glucose (that nasty substance that Jamie Oliver and various others currently hate)
Fatty Acids (fats), that substance they hated in the 80's.
Amino Acids (proteins), the current darling of the macro-nutrients.
Your Brain
It is beyond doubt that the Brain is one of the most important organ you have, and glucose is the most important fuel it uses. It can use ketone bodies for fuel, but this happens during prolonged starvation, so it may be a worthwhile point to consider if you are engaged in a diet attempts to utilise ketone bodies or one that leaves you with bad breath. Your brain is not able to store fuel, therefore it relies upon a consistent supply of glucose (that nasty stuff remember). Your brain is quite gluttonous, and on average consumes around 120g of glucose per day (approx 400+ calories). For your brain to work properly it needs a glucose concentration of around 1mM, ultimately if it drops below that we can expect to see coma and brain death. Whilst fatty acids are not able to be utilised during starvation, the previously mentioned ketone bodies can act as a source if the brain is under a great enough degree of stress (starvation). For some this is seen as a goal, for myself I would rather fuel myself well instead of stressing my body to the point where emergency action is taken to enable my survival. If I was a grifter, I may see this a lifestyle product I could sell.
Your Heart
Your heart muscle is able to function aerobically and primarily uses fatty acids, but ketone bodies may used if needed.
Your Muscles
Muscle on the other hand is able to utilise glucose, fatty acids or ketone bodies, and it also has the ability to store glycogen, that can then be converted to glucose when energy is needed. As mentioned in the main article, during resting state, 85% of your muscles fuel needs are met by fatty acid catabolism. Which really makes you wonder why so many are draining themselves at the gym trying to burn fat.
[Originally posted on billycraig.co.uk 20-06-2016]
