Women's Fat-Burning Advantage May Protect Against Diabetes: Study Finds
A new study published in Nature Metabolism by researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet suggests that women may be biologically better protected against metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, thanks to a more efficient fat-burning process known as lipolysis. Despite generally having higher body fat percentages than men, women appear less prone to developing obesity-related illnesses—a difference the study attributes to how their fat cells break down stored lipids during stress or exercise.
The research focused on the behavior of abdominal subcutaneous fat cells, examining how they respond to catecholamines—hormones that stimulate fat breakdown. While women’s fat cells were found to be less sensitive to these hormones initially, once lipolysis was activated, the rate at which fat was processed was significantly faster compared to male fat cells.
This more dynamic fat metabolism may explain why women, despite higher fat mass, are less likely than men to suffer from insulin resistance and other metabolic complications.
The researchers believe this sex-based difference in fat metabolism becomes particularly important during physical activity or fasting, when the body relies more heavily on stored energy. These findings could lead to the development of targeted therapies, especially for men who are more susceptible to metabolic disorders.
"The breakdown of lipids through lipolysis is essential for energy balance and it is believed that doing it effectively may prevent type 2 diabetes and other metabolic complications of overweight and obesity," says Professor Peter Arner, of the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
"Indeed, lipolysis is more effective in women than in men, which could be one reason why women are less likely to develop metabolic complications than men, despite having more body fat." Arner noted.
Overall, the study highlights the need to consider gender differences in fat metabolism when designing interventions for obesity and diabetes prevention.
Reference: European Association for the Study of Obesity
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