Lipolysis in the body is known as fat mobilization, which is the gradual decomposition of glycerol and fatty acids under the action of various hormones to be taken up and used by the body.
Fat mobilization occurs during starvation, diet reduction and sympathetic excitation. Hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and glucagon act on fat cells to break down fat and utilize it through a series of complex biochemical reactions.
Fat is first decomposed in fat cells to produce 1,3-glycerol diphospholipids and 2,3-glycerol diphospholipids and fatty acids. It is further hydrolyzed to produce monoglycerides and fatty acids, and finally glycerol and fatty acids. Plasma serum protein binds free fatty acids and transports fatty acids throughout the body, where they are mainly taken up and utilized by the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle.
Fats undergo the above process and are finally converted into carbon dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide is eliminated from the body through respiration in the lungs and water is eliminated from the body through the kidneys.