The Thermic Effect of food is defined as: the increment in energy expenditure above resting metabolic rate due to the cost of processing food for storage and use.

"Knowing how insulin resistance alters energy storage before it leads to more serious problems can help those susceptible prevent the onset of the metabolic syndrome," Shulman said.

Hepatic glycogen is the major storage site for the metabolic fuel for glucose-dependent organs such as erythrocytes, retina, renal medulla, and brain.