The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman Are Your Fat Cells Too Fat?
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Apr 9, 2021 Discover how oversized fat cells can lead to insulin resistance and hinder your metabolic health. Learn about the dynamics of fat tissue growth, focusing on hypertrophy versus hyperplasia. Understand the connection between fat cell size and insulin sensitivity, especially in individuals with conditions like PCOS. Explore the effects of fat removal methods and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in managing fat cells. Finally, uncover the critical role of insulin control and dietary choices in achieving optimal health.
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Two Ways Fat Tissue Grows
- Fat tissue expands by hypertrophy (bigger cells) or hyperplasia (more cells).
- Hypertrophy limits storage capacity while hyperplasia allows near-unlimited storage.
Fat Cell Number Mostly Set After Puberty
- Most adults finish gaining fat-cell number by the end of puberty, so adult fat gain is usually hypertrophy.
- Only ~10–15% of obese individuals expand fat by hyperplasia.
Why Oversized Fat Cells Harm Metabolism
- Hypertrophic fat cells become insulin resistant and leak free fatty acids.
- They also become hypoxic and secrete pro-inflammatory proteins, promoting systemic insulin resistance.