Tag: Athletes paradox

Nearly 500 million people worldwide are affected by obesity, a condition linked to insulin resistance and altered fat metabolism. In a surprising twist, however, a critical metabolic distinction exists: while excess fat in sedentary muscle can be detrimental, healthy, active muscle can store fat efficiently. So, do skeletal muscles store fat? The answer reveals more about your fitness than you might think.

Skeletal muscle is widely recognized for its ability to store carbohydrates, but surprisingly, muscle cells also store fat. These tiny fat droplets, known as intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs), serve as an essential and readily available energy source for working muscles, particularly during prolonged exercise. However, the role of IMCLs is complex, and their accumulation is associated with both enhanced metabolic health in athletes and insulin resistance in sedentary individuals.