In my book on Everything Evidence-Based in Weight Loss, How Not to Diet,

I had a section entitled Amping AMPK.

AMPK is an enzyme that acts as a universal fuel gauge for plants and animals revving up when it detects

depletion of the universal fuel.

The universal energy currency in all of biology is a molecule called adenosine

triphosphate, commonly known as ATP.

The tri-phosphate means three, as in tricycle, or in this case, ATP's three phosphates,

where energy is stored.

Plants make ATP with energy from the sun, and animals make it by burning fat, carbohydrates, and protein.

The energy is spent by releasing the phosphates, which transforms ATP to AMP,

adenosine mono-phosphate, with mono-meaning one, which transforms ATP to AMP, adenosine monophosphate, with mono, meaning

one, which then can be juiced up with two more phosphates back to ATP, and the cycle continues.

In this way, every cell in our bodies and in every living thing is like a little rechargeable battery.

AMP molecules are charged up with phosphates to ATP using sunlight or food, and then

drain back down to AMP to do the cells work.

This brings us to AMPK, or AMP-activated protein kinase.

A kinase is a type of enzyme.

What might be the function of an enzyme activated by AMP?

Buildup of AMP means the rechargeable battery is running low.

It's akin to the fuel gauge in your car reading empty.

As the needle creeps towards the E, what do you do?

Add more fuel.

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