I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12NIV).
The majority of stored fat on the human body is present under the skin, or as subcutaneous body fat. This fat tissue is made up of fat cells. A human being can have anywhere between 50 – 200 billion fat cells distributed around the body. When the body uses stored fat for energy, it breaks down the contents of the fat cell via enzymes to release glycerol and fatty acids into the blood. As the circulating fatty acids reach muscle cells that require extra energy, they are transported across the membrane and into the muscle cell. They extract energy from fat and carbohydrates to produce the cell’s usable form of energy.
If the fat stores are depleted, then the amount of energy produced will fall and the individual will become lethargic and immobile and hence develop the Marasmas syndrome.
As we grow older the amount of fat cells do not increase, however the amount of fat we store under the skin does. To avert the depletion of fat stores we need to have a healthy diet. Eating fatty foods such as chips and burgers coupled with lack of exercise will bring imbalance to the body and put extra pressure on the heart.
Like the apostle Paul we must learn how be content with much or little. Loosing fat is not the problem it is losing the ability to retain fat hat can be converted into energy that causes problems. So today don’t lose the stores, lose the fat!
I would like to see everyone develop to be who the Lord has called them to be, so today to avoid Growth retardation, Muscle wasting, Impaired immunity, Lethargy, Vomiting, Delayed wound healing and Loss of fat stores and become both spiritually and physically disciplined.
MARASMAS babies never develop properly and therefore never fulfil their potential and become very needy all their lives.
Read Philippians 4:8-23
