What is the source of the fat in adipose tissue? I have heard the opinion that all of it comes from de novo lipogenesis of carbohydrates, but I'm skeptical. Is there evidence either way - either that dietary fat definitely gets stored in the adipose tissue, or that it never does, and all of it is from carbohydrate transmutation?

The proximal source of adipocyte lipids is mainly fatty acids from circulating lipoproteins (1) after hydrolysis by lipoprotein lipase (LPL).

LPL is activated by ApoC-II, which is present in hepatic-originating VLDL and IDL lipoprotein, but also chylomicron of direct dietary source. Insulin, secreted after meals, stimulates LPL production by adipocytes.

Thus the ultimate source of these lipids is both hepatic lipogenesis (from other substrates like glucids) and dietary fats.

Lipid transport in blood, for reference purpose (Michal G. Schomburg D., Biochemical Pathways, 2012) ![lipid transport in plasma](