Written by Hannah Angelie Abuyabor
Edited and Reviewed by Reuben J C. Los Baños, Ph.D.
Adipose tissue is a connective tissue; connective tissues are abundant in the body, and they support and protect organs. Adipose tissue is important in storing nutrients in your body. Adipose is not just a connective tissue but is also known as an active organ in your endocrine system. It is also known as fat tissue or body fat due to its being composed of fat cells called adipocytes.
The excess energy is converted into neutral triglycerides in adipose tissue. Triglycerides stored by adipocytes is converted into two compounds, which are glycerol and fatty acids. These two compounds play an important role in lipid distribution and maintaining homeostasis in the body, and are then transported into the different parts of the body.
Other than fat storage, adipose tissue also transmits hormone signals known as adipokines, like leptin and adiponectin, to the other organs in your body, such as your central nervous system, to regulate metabolism. It also controls the transmission of lipids and preserves body temperature. During vigorous exercise, adipose tissue also releases fatty acids for fuel. Overall, adipose tissue plays a significant role in homeostasis in the body through its functions in chemical and organ processes.
Where is adipose tissue found?
Adipose tissue can be found in different parts of your body. Among these are the following:
- Subcutaneous adipose tissue: This type of fat can be found between your skin and muscles. It is a major energy storage and is important in insulation and cushioning.
- Visceral adipose tissue: This type of fat can be found lining the organs in your abdominal cavity. This is a deep body fat that acts as a cushion but can be harmful in excess.
- Bone marrow: This type of fat can be found inside your bones. What makes it different from your other fat is that it secretes hormones (adipokines), which can greatly influence both bone health and blood cell production.
- Breast tissue: This tissue is composed of glandular tissue and adipose tissue. Adipose tissue plays a major role in insulation and energy storage, which dictates the breast’s size and shape.
- Heart: Adipose tissue surrounds the heart and coronary vessels. It provides mechanical protection and serves as a local energy source for heart muscles.
- Eye: Fat tissue is found behind the eyeballs, where it helps cushion the eyes and maintain their position within the socket.
- Feet: Adipose tissue in the soles of the feet acts as a shock absorber, protecting bones and joints during standing and walking.
- Hands: Fat pads that can be found in the hands help with cushioning, grip, and protection of nerves and blood vessels.
Brown adipose tissue is another adipose tissue that can be found in the upper back, above the clavicles, and around the vertebrae, which is known as brown fat. It is abundant in infants but can also be found in adults. It is important for regulating temperature and maintaining the heat that is needed for the body. This type of adipose tissue will be discussed further in the section below.
Photo and label by Daniel Charles Llenos
What causes excess adipose tissue?
Excess adipose tissue develops when the body consistently stores more energy than it uses. Several factors contribute to this condition, with the primary causes listed below:
- Energy imbalance
This occurs when calorie intake is greater than energy expenditure. Excess energy is stored as fat, which over time can increase the risk of overweight and obesity.
- Diet
Frequent consumption of high-calorie, highly processed foods rich in sugars and unhealthy fats promotes fat storage, especially when portion sizes are large.
- Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity reduces the body’s ability to burn calories, leading to increased fat accumulation.
- Sleep quality
Poor or insufficient sleep disrupts hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, often increasing appetite and fat storage.
- Diabetes
Insulin resistance, commonly seen in type 2 diabetes, affects how the body uses glucose and encourages fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area.
Underlying factors
- Genetics
Genetic makeup can influence how the body stores fat, regulates appetite, and uses energy, making some individuals more prone to excess adipose tissue.
- Medications
Certain medications, such as steroids, antidepressants, and some antidiabetic drugs, can contribute to weight gain by affecting metabolism or appetite.
- Stress and anxiety
Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, a hormone linked to fat accumulation, especially around the abdomen, and may also lead to overeating.
What happens to adipose tissue as you age?
As the body ages, adipose tissue undergoes noticeable changes, particularly in the balance between white and brown fat. One of the most significant changes is the gradual loss or “whitening” of brown adipose tissue.
White adipose tissue
White adipose tissue is the most abundant type of fat in the body. It is found as subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, and bone marrow fat. White fat cells store energy in a single large lipid droplet and play an important role in the insulation and cushioning of organs. In addition to fat cells, white adipose tissue contains other supporting cells that release hormones involved in appetite control, metabolism, energy balance, and inflammation. As people age, white adipose tissue tends to increase, especially in the abdominal area. So, it is commonly found in adults/ older people.
Brown adipose tissue
Brown adipose tissue is more prominent during infancy and gradually decreases with age. It is mainly located in the upper back and neck region. Brown fat cells contain multiple lipid droplets and many mitochondria, which give the tissue its brown color. These mitochondria allow brown fat to generate heat through non-shivering thermogenesis, helping regulate body temperature. With aging, brown adipose tissue becomes less active and is often replaced by white fat, reducing the body’s ability to produce heat efficiently.
What happens when you lose adipose tissue?
When you lose adipose tissue, your body mobilizes stored fat for energy because it is not getting enough calories from food. Fat stored as triglycerides in fat cells is broken down into smaller molecules and used as fuel by the body’s cells. During this process, most fat is converted into carbon dioxide that you exhale and water that leaves the body through urine, sweat, and other fluids. Fat cells themselves generally shrink rather than disappear, and they can expand again if energy balance shifts back toward excess calories later.
Advantages of losing adipose tissue
- Improved metabolic health
Reducing excess body fat, especially visceral fat around organs, is linked with better blood sugar control, improved insulin sensitivity, and lower triglycerides. This helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
- Lower cardiovascular risk
Losing excess fat can decrease blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and lessen strain on the heart and blood vessels, helping lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Better respiratory and sleep health
With less adipose tissue around the chest and abdomen, breathing can become easier during exercise and sleep, often leading to improvements in conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
- Reduced inflammation and organ stress
High levels of adipose tissue are associated with chronic inflammation that negatively affects organs such as the liver. Fat loss can reduce this inflammatory burden and improve overall organ function.
- Enhanced mobility and reduced joint stress
Carrying less fat means less mechanical load on joints, which can reduce pain and improve mobility, especially in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.
Disadvantages of losing adipose tissue
- Metabolic adaptation slows weight loss
The body naturally tries to conserve energy and resist fat loss. When you lose weight, your metabolism may slow down, meaning you burn fewer calories at rest, making further fat loss harder.
- Increased hunger and hormonal changes
As fat cells shrink, they produce less leptin (a hormone that signals fullness) and can raise ghrelin (a hunger hormone). This combination can increase appetite and make maintaining weight loss challenging.
- Potential loss of lean tissue
If weight loss is too rapid or not paired with proper nutrition and resistance exercise, some of the mass lost can come from muscle tissue instead of fat, which may reduce strength and metabolic rate.
- Difficulty maintaining long-term weight loss
Fat cells do not disappear; they only shrink. Because their number stays the same, there remains a risk of fat regaining size if previous eating and activity patterns return. This can contribute to the return of excess adipose tissue over time.
- Too little body fat can be harmful
Fat is necessary for insulation, hormone production, and cushioning of organs. Extremely low levels of adipose tissue can disrupt hormone balance, weaken immunity, and cause other health problems. Very low-fat levels are seen in conditions like anorexia nervosa or certain medical disorders, and are not healthy.
What diseases affect adipose tissue?
Adipose tissue plays a vital role in storing energy, regulating hormones, and protecting organs. When its function is disrupted, either through abnormal fat accumulation, inflammation, or genetic defects, it can lead to several diseases. These conditions affect metabolism, hormone balance, and overall health.
- Obesity
Excess fat accumulation can disrupt hormone and inflammatory signals. Dysfunctional adipose tissue in obesity contributes to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.
- Lipodystrophy
A rare disorder causing loss or abnormal distribution of fat. Fat may be missing in certain areas but accumulates in organs, leading to metabolic problems like insulin resistance and high triglycerides.
- Lipedema
A chronic condition mostly in women, characterized by painful, disproportionate fat deposits in the legs and arms. Adipose tissue in lipedema shows structural changes and fibrosis.
- Dercum’s disease (adiposis dolorosa)
Causes painful fat nodules, often with obesity and fatigue. The exact cause is unknown, but the fat tissue structure is affected.
- Inflammatory adipose conditions (panniculitis)
Inflammation of fat tissue under the skin can form tender nodules and sometimes systemic symptoms. It may result from autoimmune responses, infections, or enzymatic damage.
- Tumors
Benign (lipomas) or malignant (liposarcomas) growths can develop in fat tissue, disrupting normal structure and function.
Can you live without adipose tissue?
The absence of adipose tissue can lead to serious health problems, which makes the answer no. Fat tissue is essential for normal survival and long-term health. The following explains why.
Roles of adipose tissue
- Energy storage
Adipose tissue stores extra energy as fat, which the body can use when food is scarce. Without it, the body cannot maintain stable energy levels.
- Hormone regulation
Fat tissue produces hormones that control appetite, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. Lack of adipose tissue disrupts these processes, leading to metabolic problems and insulin resistance.
- Protection and insulation
Fat cushions internal organs and helps maintain body temperature. Without fat, organs are more vulnerable to injury, and the body struggles to regulate heat.
- Metabolic health
People without adipose tissue often develop severe metabolic complications, including high blood sugar, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular problems. Studies in lipoatrophy models show that the absence of fat impairs lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Adipose tissue is essential for the body’s energy storage, hormone regulation, and protection of organs. Losing excess fat can improve health, but having too little or no fat can cause serious problems, including metabolic and hormonal issues. This shows that fat is not just extra weight but a necessary part of the body’s function. Maintaining a healthy balance through proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle is important. Learning about adipose tissue made me realize how vital it is for overall health and why we should take care of our bodies rather than just focus on losing fat.
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