Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle
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J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle · Feb 2017
Premorbid obesity, but not nutrition, prevents critical illness-induced muscle wasting and weakness.
The 'obesity paradox' of critical illness refers to better survival with a higher body mass index. We hypothesized that fat mobilized from excess adipose tissue during critical illness provides energy more efficiently than exogenous macronutrients and could prevent lean tissue wasting. ⋯ During critical illness premorbid obesity, but not nutrition, optimized utilization of stored lipids and attenuated muscle wasting and weakness.