Fat Cells 101: The Basics

Everyone needs to have some fat cells on their body. Our bodies store energy and vitamins to create hormones that send messages throughout our bodies in our fat cells.

Did you know that no matter what we do our bodies have the same number of fat cells for all of our adult lives?

In 2008, a molecular biologist named Kirsty Spalding discovered this fact and that even if some cells die, our bodies will quickly replace them. Some people just have more fat cells than others. Fat and fatty acids that help nerve development and function make up over half of our brain. Fat develops important hormones in our bodies and also provides shock absorbers for our internal organs and some kinds of fat help to keep us warm.

Did you know that two different people with differing amounts of fat cells can still have the same body shape? How large our fat cells become depends on how many lipids are stored in our fat cells…lipids are what you lose when you lose weight. In reality when you lose weight you are not losing fat cells, just shrinking them.

Fat cells are also known as lipocytes or adipose tissue. There are two kinds of fat cells: white fat cells and brown fat cells. Brown fat is usually only found in infants who need it for making body heat. White adipose tissue are usually .1 mm in diameter and stored in a semi-liquid state. They are made mostly of triglycerides and cholesterol ester. An average human adult has 30 billion fat cells weighing 30 pounds. When excess weight is gained the fat cells increase about fourfold in size before dividing and increasing the total size of adipose tissue present.

When people are obese they have an expansion of fat mass. In the fat cells of people who are obese their bodies make more metabolism modulators like glycerol, hormones and pro-inflammatory substances by certain cells of the immune system that have an effect on other cells, which can cause their body to become insulin resistant. Even though some people become insulin resistant that are not obese, for obese people their adipose tissue has less ability to adapt which causes insulin resistance or type II diabetes.

Our body weight is determined by the rate at which we store energy from the food we eat and how quickly we use this energy. A good tool to measure the amount of body fat we have is a proper BMI per caliper that tells you how many proteins, water and fat your body has. This information can help you create a wellness plan that really works for you. Using the very simple equation of weight versus height to find our BMI is a start, but it doesn’t really tell the whole story because some people have more fat cells than others, some people build muscle more easily and a simple BMI does not explain where the most dangerous fat is on our bodies.

If you haven’t had a proper BMI per caliper feel free to Contact Karen for a free consultation.

How to Lose Weight and Shrink Fat Cells

• Exercise regularly
• Eat a balanced diet with proper amounts of carbohydrates, fat and protein.
• Do not overeat. Most people only require 1,500 to 2000 calories per day.

It is important to remember that dieting will only take you so far. Part of the chemical process of breaking down, storing and using energy in our body is hormone creation. One of the hormones our body creates is called leptin. Leptin tells us when we are full so we do not overeat. When we consume more calories than we burn and the excess energy is stored in our fat cells and we become obese, the fat cells, which never change in number, only size, learn to enjoying being fat and sassy…and our bodies make less leptin which makes us want more food. Dieting can’t work for long term for obese people because when you quit your program and go back to our old ways the fat will come back.

A commitment to a lifestyle change that incorporates our body’s need for proper nutrition, exercise and rest is the only way to lose and keep our fat cells lean and mean. If you aren’t fully committed or you don’t have the proper support system you may succeed in the beginning but the struggle will continue which can lead to a never ending cycle of lose and gain which is very stressful on our minds and bodies.

A lifestyle change is a big commitment. You will have an easier time taking on this life-long change with a team.

How To Create Your Lifestyle Change Team

• Go to the doctor. Get a check up and blood work to make sure you are healthy enough to take on the method of weight loss you think will work. Enlist your medical professional’s encouragement. If you find you have any chronic illnesses they will be able to help you make important health decisions.
• Get a Certified Personal Trainer. If you don’t think you can afford one it might be a good idea to schedule a couple sessions just to get started or once a month or quarterly. A good personal trainer will be able to map out a plan that will help you succeed. They will know when you should take a break or push a little harder and be able to encourage you on your path.
• Get a Fitness Assessment to help you see where to start.
• Hire a Weight Management Counselor who can give you diet plans to help you meet your goals and advice and encouragement even when you splurge too much or don’t eat enough. They will also help you create a food journal and other tools to help you measure your success.
• Create a group that holds each other accountable. Whether you text, call or meet face to face being honest with your successes and failures will help you create new and healthy habits.

If you are interested in having a free and no-obligation consultation with Karen Clemenson, Certified Personal Trainer, Weight Management Counselor and Fitness Facilitator at Wellness Works NW, please Contact Us. Karen has been working with people for many years to support their wellness. She mainly works inside Forever Fit Gym in Longview, Washington but she is willing to meet you at any gym of your preference…or even come to your home in the Cowlitz County and Columbia County.

I hope this article helps Fuel Your Wellness. Please leave your comments below.

Read all articles in the series:

• Fat Cells 101: The Basics
• Fat Cells 200: How Our Bodies Use Fat
• Fat Cells 300: Washing Fat Cells
• Fat Cells 405: Fat Cells and Eating Disorders
• Related Article: Knowing When To Detox or Not To Detox…

Resources & Start Learning More at:

Summer D Clemenson co-owns Clemenson Enterprises and Wellness Works NW with her wife, Karen G Clemenson. Their personal motto is Creativity, Honesty & Positivity are a must! This mantra helps them stay community and wellness minded in all they do. Summer also writes poetry and inspirational blogs @ ClemensonEnterprises.com. Her crochet art can be viewed and purchased @ KnottyWares.com & she loves special orders!

Please leave your comments below!