6 ms·

Fat isn't transformed into sugar, it breaks down into fatty acids which are metabolized using a different pathway. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid_metab

• nmjohn 12y ago
  Sometimes - but they ARE metabolized through the same pathway. Essentially: Glucose ->[0] pyruvate ->[1] acetyl-coa -> TCA cycle vs Fatty acids ->[2] acetyl-coa -> TCA cycle The TCA is cycle is the actual main energy generating step. Other times fat absolutely is converted to sugar. It all depends on the metabolic needs of the body and one building blocks are available, and what protein "workers" are able to use the ones that are available. For example, fatty acid synthase converts acetyl coa back to a fatty acid [3]. [0] Glycolysis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycolysis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycolysis [1] pyruvate dehydrogenase: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyruvate_dehydrogenase http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyruvate_dehydrogenase [2] beta oxidation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_oxidation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_oxidation [3]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid_synthase http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid_synthase
  • wavegeek 12y ago
    None of your refs justify your claim that "fat absolutely is converted to sugar".
    • nmjohn 12y ago
      That wasn't my claim, please don't misquote me. What I actually said was "Other times fat absolutely is converted to sugar." There is a very significant difference.
      • wavegeek 12y ago
        So what are those "other times" and where is the evidence?