Fat oxidation, also known as lipid catabolism or beta-oxidation, is the fundamental metabolic process by which fatty acids are systematically broken down to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell. This efficient process is essential for sustained energy production during periods of rest, fasting, or prolonged, low-to-moderate intensity exercise. Hormones like thyroid hormone, glucagon, and epinephrine are key regulators of the rate at which the body mobilizes and utilizes stored fat for fuel.
Origin
The term combines “fat,” referring to lipids or triglycerides, with “oxidation,” the chemical process involving the loss of electrons, which is central to energy release in biological systems. Beta-oxidation is named for the cleavage that occurs specifically at the beta-carbon atom of the fatty acid chain. This vital metabolic pathway was largely elucidated in the early to mid-20th century, revealing the biochemical link between stored fat and cellular energy.
Mechanism
The process begins with the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue, followed by their transport into the mitochondria via the carnitine shuttle system. Inside the mitochondria, a cyclical sequence of four enzymatic steps cleaves two-carbon units, in the form of acetyl-CoA, from the fatty acid chain. Acetyl-CoA then enters the Krebs cycle, leading to the generation of electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) that ultimately power the electron transport chain to produce large amounts of ATP.
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