According to the Energy Reserve Theory, why might extra adipose tissue be protective during chronic disease?

• A. It provides a metabolic reserve during catabolic states.
• B. It increases metabolic rate to burn fuel faster.
• C. It raises blood glucose to help nerves.
• D. It decreases inflammation.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that fat stores act as a metabolic reserve that can be tapped during prolonged illness. In chronic disease, energy demands rise while intake or absorption may decline, so extra adipose tissue provides triglycerides that can be mobilized to fuel organs and tissues. This helps preserve lean body mass and maintain essential functions when catabolism is high, improving resilience during illness. It’s about supplying energy, not about boosting metabolic rate, raising glucose for nerves, or automatically reducing inflammation ( adipose tissue can actually contribute to inflammatory signaling).