Fig. 1
From: Overview of the physiological changes and optimal diet in the golden age generation over 50
The figure presents the age-related changes concerning the release of free fatty acids (FFA) and the capacity of tissues to oxidise them. The metabolic effects of non-oxidised free fatty acids are also shown. Advancing life-time is associated with an increase in adipose tissue, a decrease in the mass of oxidative tissue and its capacity to oxidise fat (O2). The amount of non-oxidised free fatty acids increases in the elderly because of the enhanced release of free fatty acids in excess of the energy needs or rather the oxidative capacity of respiring tissues. Several adverse metabolic effects follow from non-oxidised FFAs (Figure adapted from Toth et al. [37])