A fat, or adipose, cell literally is made up of fat. The primary chemical components of adipose cells are triglycerides. The Mayo Clinic points out that triglycerides, which are found in the bloodstream, are an indicator of your overall heart health.
Triglycerides
The American Heart Association explains that hormones control the release of triglycerides from fat tissue to meet your body's energy requirements. When your calorie intake fails to meet your body's needs, it automatically turns to your triglycerides for energy. This sets off a complicated metabolic series of actions as the triglycerides break down and are absorbed into your kidneys liver and muscle as they prepare to be used as an energy source.
Fat
Fat, which originates from an animal or plant, is greasy to the touch and won't dissolve in water. While normally solid at room temperature, fat can change to liquid form at temperatures above 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Fats are indistinguishable from animal and vegetable oils.
Considerations
A trim adult has about 40 billion fat cells, while someone who is obese can have as many as 120 billion, according to Medical News Today. When someone regularly overeats, fat cells continue to grow. When the cells reach their maximum capacity they emit a signal to undeveloped cells to divide, producing even more fat cells.
Visceral Fat
Visceral body fat is one of the two types of body fat. Visceral fat sits underneath the muscles and borders vital organs. This tucked-away location makes it possible to be fairly slender and still carry an excess amount of fat. Visceral fat is metabolized by the liver and transforms into blood cholesterol, making it the most potentially harmful to your health. Your diet and degree of exercise affect your amount of visceral fat.
Subcutaneous Fat
Subcutaneous fat lies beneath the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) and serves as a shield. It is located nearly everywhere on the body but may be thickest in the abdomen, thighs and underarms. A certain amount of subcutaneous fat is vital to survival. For example, it keeps you warm when it's cold outside. An excess of subcutaneous fat is a sign of being overweight.
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