b-oxidation

Example: Imagine each fatty acid as a long train. The b-oxidation process is like removing two carriages every stop until the train is all gone!

• What is it? Energy-making process for fats.
• Where? Inside mitochondria.
• How? Fatty acids are broken down with the help of the shuttle service, a.k.a carnitine.
• Each cycle chops off 2 carbons from the fatty acid chain, kinda like snipping a string of sausages.

Krebs Cycle

Example: Think of Krebs cycle like a powerhouse turning fuel (acetyl CoA) into energy (ATP) for all your activities!

• What? A chemical party in the mitochondria! 🎉
• Here, acetyl CoA gets oxidized to produce a LOT of energy (ATP).
• Bonus: Carbon dioxide is released (that's why we exhale!).

Types of Fatty Acids

• Not all fats are created equal!
• Our body ❤️ to metabolize mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids more than saturated fatty acids.
• Why care? Slower the fatty acids oxidize, longer they hang out in blood, leading to potential health issues.
• Eating too much fat? It’s stored as triglycerides in our fat tissues and muscles. Think of this as your body’s backup energy storage!

Insulin

Example: Insulin acts like a traffic cop, directing glucose where to go after you've had a meal.

• Released when? After eating, when blood glucose goes 📈.
• Jobs:
  • Helps glucose enter cells (especially muscles and liver).
  • Reduces glucose release from storage.
  • Turns glucose into glycogen for storage.
  • Reduces the conversion of protein/fat to glucose.
  • Stops fat breakdown.

Glucagon

Example: Glucagon is like your body's emergency energy release button when glucose is low.

• Released when? During fasting or exercise when blood glucose goes 📉.
• Jobs
  • Does the opposite of insulin. It's the yin to insulin's yang!
  • Boosts glucose release and increases blood glucose.
  • Activates lipolysis in fat stores.

Adrenalin

Example: Adrenalin is like your body’s superhero, rushing to the rescue when energy is needed ASAP!

• Released when? Low blood glucose.
• Jobs:
  • Acts similarly to glucagon, helping in glycogen breakdown and lipolysis.

In short, your body is like an intricate dance of processes and hormones, making sure you have the energy for all your adventures! From fast metabolism inside cells to hormone helpers, it's all working seamlessly behind the scenes! 🕺💃🌟