Figure 1.

White adipose tissue stores excess energy as triglycerides that can be mobilized by lipolysis to generate FFA for use by other tissues. BAT is the main site of NST, which is carried out by UCP1. Beige adipocytes have uncoupling capabilities similar to brown adipocytes, but are found in what is normally considered WAT. Appropriate partitioning and oxidation of fatty acids into BAT, WAT, beige adipocytes, and other metabolic organs can reduce ectopic fat deposition in metabolic organs, resulting in improved insulin sensitivity. Green arrows indicate appropriate partitioning and red arrows indicate inappropriate partitioning.