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How do glycogen and adipose tissue store excess food energy?
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human nutrition
MyPlate, a revised set of dietary guidelines introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2011, divides the four basic food groups (fruits, grains, protein, and vegetables) into sections on a plate, the size of each section representing the relative dietary proportions of each food group. The small blue circle shown at the upper right illustrates the inclusion and recommended proportion of dairy products in the diet.
The human body stores excess energy primarily through two distinct mechanisms:
- Glycogen: This is a polymer of glucose stored in the liver and muscle cells. It serves as a readily accessible energy reserve that can be broken down into glucose to maintain blood sugar levels or provide immediate fuel during physical activity.1
- Adipose Tissue: This connective tissue is the body's primary long-term fuel reservoir. It consists of adipose cells that synthesize and store excess energy as triglycerides. When energy is needed, these cells release fatty acids and glycerol through a process called lipolysis.23
Notably, lipids stored in adipose tissue are a more efficient energy source than carbohydrates; the oxidative metabolism of one gram of triglyceride yields more than twice the energy produced by an equal weight of glycogen. While glycogen provides quick energy, adipose tissue allows for the storage of significantly larger amounts of energy, which is vital for survival during periods of fasting or high energy expenditure.423