Creatine Fuels the Thermic Effect of Feeding

Abstract

The current obesity epidemic has focused a great deal of attention on cellular pathways of energy expenditure. While a crucial part of this process is diet-induced thermogenesis, the underlying mechanisms have remained unexplained. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Kazak etal. (2017) describe a new thermogenic pathway in adipocytes that responds to diet overload, involving creatine cycling. These data suggest that this pathway might limit weight gain during overnutrition.