But aren’t carbs the problem?
Not necessarily.
Here’s how.
Did you know that the body produces energy by a process called oxidation?
The source of fuel for this process can come from glucose (carbohydrates), fatty acids (fat), or amino acids (protein).
In situations like insulin resistance, the process of oxidizing or getting energy from the breakdown of glucose is compromised.
Because it is compromised, it can lead to a back up of glucose in the blood stream and an overall imbalance of blood sugar regulation.
High fat diets do not cure insulin resistance. Rather, they eliminate the use of a system that is compromised.
Relying on fat to produce energy eliminates the need to go through the process of using carbohydrates as energy.
Therefore, it avoids the root cause of the problem and takes a different path.
That is why when people go keto, then try to incorporate carbs again they gain weight. They have not fixed the problem, but rather, neglected the imbalance and relied on an inefficient way to produce energy.
Using fat for energy is slower, and a better back up plan rather than being the first and optimal choice.
🌟Equally important is that fat and glucose compete for oxidation (the process of producing energy). Fat suppresses glucose oxidation more strongly than glucose suppresses fat oxidation.
What does that mean?
🆘When a body is in the state of frequent fatty acid oxidation, it can block glucose oxidation.
Meaning glucose becomes prevented from being used as fuel, meaning excessive fatty acid intake can make insulin resistance worse in the long run.
A chronically high fat diet will only reinforce the body’s inability to be metabolically flexible, it will reinforce the inability to tolerate carbohydrates and to use them as energy.
So should we all eat cookies and cake every day?
Absolutely not.
Nutrient dense carbohydrates should be incorporated. The quality of carbohydrates will always matter. (If you'd like a free guide on nutrient dense carbs, click here)
As does the quality of the fat you consume, as well.
What if you’re not eating a high fat diet, but your body still doesn’t tolerate carbs?
This could be due to stress hormones. Why? Because stress hormones drive the breakdown of fatty acids for energy (lipolysis).
Did you know that cortisol and adrenaline promote the breakdown of fatty acids?
So chronic stress, poor sleep, nutrient deficiencies, mental/psychological stress, dehydration, under-eating, toxic burdens, can all lead to an inability to tolerate carbohydrates as fuel, and they all lead to insulin resistance (that’s what you learn in my program, The Insulin Resistance Fix.)
Reasons to eat more nutrient dense carbohydrates:
Thyroid support - diets low in carbohydrates suppress the production of T3, a thyroid hormone required for energy (here's a video on thyroid health).
Fuel for workouts and building muscle - carbohydrates provide the efficient energy needed to go for a walk, to make it through cardio, and to help you build muscle (which will ultimately increase your metabolic rate).
Polyphenols and antioxidants - nutrient dense carbohydrates are some of the highest sources of these anti-inflammatory, disease fighting ingredients.
If you want to age well and prevent disease, we should be able to address the root cause, rather than avoid it. Embrace the power of eating enough nutrient dense carbohydrates to fuel your life, decrease stress, and reverse insulin resistance.
Do you need help learning how to do so? Click here to apply to join my one on one coaching program, Wellness in Bloom, today.
