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Low-Carb: The Role of Insulin
There are three basic units the body uses for energy:
1. Fats
2. Proteins
3. Carbohydrates
All three can be converted to blood glucose. However, while
fats and proteins are converted slowly, carbohydrates are
converted quickly causing quick spikes in the body's blood sugar
levels. These spikes in blood sugar levels cause the pancreas to
create and release insulin until the blood sugar level returns to
normal.
Meanwhile, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that
lowers our blood's glucose levels is released into the blood as
soon as the body detects that blood sugar levels have risen above
its optimal level.
Insulin is a very efficient hormone that runs the body's fuel
storage systems. If there is excess sugar or fat in the blood
insulin will signal the body to store it in the body's fat cells.
Insulin also tells these cells not to release their stored fat,
making that fat unavailable for use by the body as energy.
Since this stored fat cannot be released for use as energy,
insulin very effectively prevents weight loss. The higher the
body's insulin levels, the more effectively it prevents fat cells
from releasing their stores, and the harder it becomes to lose
weight. According to many authorities, over the long term, high
insulin levels can lead to insulin resistance and cause serious
health problems like the ones listed below:
1. Raised insulin levels and insulin resistance
2. Lower metabolism leading to weight gain
3. An increase in fatty tissue and reduction in muscle
tissue
4. Accelerated aging
5. Increased food allergies and intolerances
6. Overworked immune system
7. Increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and
cancer
Carbohydrates, especially simple carbs like sugar and starch,
are quickly turned into sucrose by the body entering the blood
stream quicker thereby causing the release of large amounts of
insulin. The fewer carbs are eaten, the less insulin is produced
by the body, and the fewer calories are stored as fat. Less fat
storage equals less weight gain and fewer carbs eaten equals less
insulin in the blood and the body using its fat stores for
fuel.
The premise behind every low-carb diet plan is that a body
that produces less insulin burns more fat than a body that
produces lots of insulin. Some plans encourage a period of
extremely low carbohydrate intake so that the body will enter a
state of ketosis and more quickly burn fat stores - These are
usually called induction periods.
Beverley Brooke, Editor of Health & Finesse - Free
health, diet and fitness articles and weekly newsletters
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