Active Lifestyles Alter How the Body Burns Saturated Fat, New Study Finds

Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness

In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers from the University of Aberdeen have unveiled new insights into how physical fitness can alter the body's use of saturated and unsaturated fats. The study, led by Professor Dana Dawson, focused on the metabolic differences in fat utilization between highly fit athletes and men with type 2 diabetes.

The research involved two distinct groups: "super healthy" male athletes who regularly engaged in vigorous exercise and males with type 2 diabetes who seldom exercised. Over an eight-week period, these groups swapped their exercise regimes. The athletes ceased all vigorous activity, transitioning to a sedentary lifestyle, while the diabetic participants began an endurance training regimen, exercising for five hours each week.

To assess how these changes affected fat metabolism, the researchers administered small amounts of different fats intravenously and used MRI scans to track how these fats behaved within muscle cells.

The type 2 diabetes group experienced weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose levels. Conversely, the athletes, now deconditioned, showed altered fat metabolism.

Professor Dawson explained that saturated fat was intensely utilized for physical activity by the athletes, making it their preferred energy source. In contrast, the type 2 diabetes group primarily stored saturated fat. However, after the endurance training, the diabetic participants began storing and utilizing saturated fat similarly to the deconditioned athletes.

This study underscores the critical role that physical fitness plays in fat metabolism. It suggests that one's cardio-metabolic health significantly influences how efficiently different fats are used as fuel. The results highlight the direct benefits of exercise on improving the metabolism of saturated fat, presenting a new perspective that a uniform approach to fitness and health may not be effective for everyone.

The implications of this research extend to cardiovascular health. Daily physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar levels, as well as helping to maintain a healthy weight. For optimal health, it is recommended to aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.

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