Fatty acids

Fatty acids are molecules composed of a hydrocarbon chain ending in a carboxyl group. They are major building blocks of Fats and membrane lipids, can be released and oxidized for energy, and vary in chain length and degree of saturation—properties that influence how lipids behave in cells and tissues.

During cold exposure and sleep, fatty acids released from subcutaneous fat supply hydrogen to mitochondrial electron flow. In the source’s model of Mitochondrial magnetism, this supports uncoupling, heat production, and metabolic water while ATP production remains low.