Apparently the theme this week is “awesome videos I’ve come across on Youtube” here at GTonline. Today’s video is an excellent, and somewhat comical, video created by Tom Naughton about the role of insulin in the regulation of body fat. Tom is a comedian, documentary maker and blogger who runs a website, Fat Head, that is decidedly low-carb in nature.
Regardless of whether you are a low-carber or not, taking a few minutes to watch this video will serve you well:
I love this video because it provides a nice, easy to understand summary of how insulin controls blood sugar and by extension, body fat. Admittedly, the hormonal interplay that governs body fat regulation is infinitely more complicated than what the video suggests, however, insulin is definitely one of the key players in the creation of excess body fat.
The video also helps us see why proper insulin management is central to any diet. Although some lucky individuals have such a great innate tolerance for carbohydrates that they can, and must, eat a large percentage of total calories as carbohydrates; the majority of us must regulate our insulin through the diet and exercise.
Another aspect of this video I love is the suggestion that people don’t necessarily get fat because they eat too much. Rather, people eat too much because they are fat. This an incredibly powerful idea and one that helps explain why so many of our current diet theories fail miserably.
Basically, we continue to treat obesity all wrong. We need to let go of the belief that fat is just a storehouse of calories and instead accept fat as a metabolically active endocrine tissue. Only once we accept the role fat plays in endocrine dysfunction, will be be able to remove elements from the environment that negatively impact our hormonal status.
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If you have read Gary Taubes Good Calories, Bad Calories Good Calories, Bad Calories is a startling review of the history and political processes that have led up to our current nutrition beliefs. It’s definitely not a light read by any stretch of the imagination but it is one of the most thoroughly researched nutrition book ever written. It is also one of my favourite nutrition books and I believe it’s an invaluable addition to the library of anyone serious about nutrition and their health. |
you have already been exposed to this idea. And if you haven’t read the book yet, you really need to pick up a copy.I know delving into the nutritional science can be daunting for the uninitiated, however, Gary Taubes is quite an accomplished science writer who has penned a number of brilliant essays. Here are two pieces of work that are a great place to start:
I’ll be back next week with a look at some of the fat producing hormones in greater detail. Until then, train hard and eat clean!
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