Does anyone know or can someone lead me to ...

[FergieTCat]

An article that explains exactly how the body "burns fat"?

I understand the if you eat less calories --- etc. -- you "burn fat", but exactly how does the body do that? And what happens to the fat when it's "burned"? Does it melt into liquid and then excreted? How?

Just curious ...

 

[wovenwonder]

I'm not sure what plan you are following. But HERE is a good explanation of the science behind low carb diets and how the fat is burned when eating low carb. It shows how eating fat doesn't make you fat (if coupled with low carb eating).

 

[PAdisMOM]

I'm a biology teacher, so I love hearing a question that I an actually answer.

Your body breaks down carbohydrates through a process called glycolysis, followed by the Krebs cycle, and then electron transport chain. All a bunch of (really exciting!) biology stuff. BUT in the end it has tuned glucose (C6H12O6) into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). So that's where all the stuff goes. It doesn't "melt away". This process makes ATP, which is the chemical your body uses for energy. Ever time you move you use ATP.

Fats and proteins break down through basically the same process, but enter the steps at different points along the way.

Does this help? I love this type of stuff, but my students usually think I'm crazy!

 

[PAdisMOM]

I got so excited that I knew an answer, that I practically forgot the question!

PS: Your body is programmed to burn carbohydrates first. That is why Atkins works. If there are no carbohydrates to burn, then your body will break down fats.

 

[TigH]

Originally posted by PAdisMOM
Your body breaks down carbohydrates through a process called glycolysis, followed by the Krebs cycle, and then electron transport chain. All a bunch of (really exciting!) biology stuff. BUT in the end it has tuned glucose (C6H12O6) into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). So that's where all the stuff goes. It doesn't "melt away". This process makes ATP, which is the chemical your body uses for energy. Ever time you move you use ATP.

Fats and proteins break down through basically the same process, but enter the steps at different points along the way.

Does this help? I love this type of stuff, but my students usually think I'm crazy!

I don't think you're crazy at all! I LOVE this kind of information. Our bodies are so cool!!!! Thanks for the answer!

 

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by PAdisMOM
I got so excited that I knew an answer, that I practically forgot the question!

PS: Your body is programmed to burn carbohydrates first. That is why Atkins works. If there are no carbohydrates to burn, then your body will break down fats.

And THAT is straight from the mouth of a biology teacher --- not a dietician! I would certainly trust the scientific explanation!!! Thank you so much for explaining it in simple term!

I hope you don't mind -- but I copied and pasted your explanation onto my Journal page (let me know if you'd rather I remove it).

 

[FergieTCat]

Thank you!!

I am one of those people who have to know HOW something works. It was just to indulge my own curiosity.