Research

Hormonal

In obese individuals, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are strongly associated with decreased adipose tissue expression of the lipases ATGL and HSL, independent of fat mass.

If you are obese and insulin resistant, your body actively suppresses the enzymes needed to break down fat stores (ATGL and HSL) to protect against fatty acid overload. This is a hormonal defense mechanism, not just a lack of willpower. Addressing insulin sensitivity (e.g., through exercise or specific dietary patterns that lower insulin) may be required to restore these enzymes before significant fat mobilization can occur.

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In obese subjects, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are strongly associated with ATGL and HSL mRNA and protein expression, independent of fat mass.
Johan W. E. Jocken et al. · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2007

Why this rating

Human clinical study with a reasonable sample size (n=44) and rigorous biochemical analysis, though observational in nature regarding the baseline state.

Source

Adipose Triglyceride Lipase and Hormone-Sensitive Lipase Protein Expression Is Decreased in the Obese Insulin-Resistant State

Johan W. E. Jocken et al. · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2007

DOI 10.1210/jc.2006-1318

cohort · n=44Cited 258×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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