Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition 3114: Carb Cycling And Who Can Benefit From It by Eric Leija on How to Boost Metabolism
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Sep 10, 2025 Explore the fascinating world of carb cycling, a dietary technique that alternates between high- and low-carb days. Discover how this method can enhance fat loss and boost metabolism by influencing hormones like leptin. Eric Leija highlights who might benefit most from this advanced strategy, suggesting it's ideal for athletes or those with specific goals. While there are substantial benefits, the potential complexities of carb cycling warrant careful consideration. Tune in for insights on balancing energy levels and achieving optimal health!
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What Carb Cycling Is
- Carb cycling alternates high-carb and low-carb days to influence metabolism and fat loss.
- People often schedule high-carb on workout days and low-carb on rest days to match energy needs.
Leptin Explains Diet Plateaus
- Dieting lowers leptin which reduces metabolic rate and increases hunger, producing plateaus.
- Short-term carb or calorie increases can raise leptin and temporarily restore metabolism and reduce hunger.
Muscle Gain Claim Is Unproven
- Some claim carb cycling can build muscle without fat by spiking insulin on training days and lowering carbs on rest days.
- Current studies don't confirm this simultaneous muscle-gain-and-fat-loss claim, so treat it cautiously.