Lipoexpediency: de novo lipogenesis as a metabolic signal transmitter

De novo lipogenesis, the production of fats from simple precursors, is often dismissed as irrelevant to the pathobiology of obesity caused by positive energy balance due to typical high fat diets. However, emerging data implicate de novo lipogenesis in the generation of metabolic signals that alter disease risk. Exploiting this signaling pathway represents lipoexpediency. Lipoexpediency is the concept of directing fats toward benefit even in the setting of lipid overload, and represents a strategy to complement efforts aimed at improving energy balance. Optimizing lipid signals initiated by key lipogenic enzymes such as fatty acid synthase might limit morbidity in people who are unlikely to abandon the lifestyle of the sedentary gourmand.