Why Carbs Are NOT The Cause Of Insulin Resistance, PCOS + Type 2 Diabetes | Calvin Scheller
Jul 8, 2024
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Calvin Scheller, an 18-year-old science communicator and health coach, dives into the misunderstood roles of carbohydrates in insulin resistance, PCOS, and type 2 diabetes. He challenges the outdated belief that carbs are the culprits, highlighting the impact of excess dietary fat instead. Calvin explains how saturated fats can cause more inflammation than plant fats and discusses the true mechanisms behind insulin resistance, emphasizing dietary changes and personal advocacy to improve metabolic health.
Calvin Scheller emphasizes that insulin resistance arises more from excessive dietary fat than from carbohydrates themselves.
The podcast highlights the importance of understanding insulin's role in nutrient uptake for maintaining overall metabolic health.
One's journey of battling insulin resistance can be transformative through lifestyle changes like fat loss, muscle building, and diet modification.
A holistic approach to improving insulin sensitivity involves regular exercise, healthy body weight, and reducing stress to support metabolic function.
Deep dives
The Journey of Building a Healthier Relationship with Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is the precursor to several serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. To combat this, significant lifestyle changes can help reverse insulin resistance, including a transformation in diet, exercise, and body composition. The speaker discusses their own successful battle against insulin resistance through losing body fat, building muscle, and altering their dietary habits, emphasizing the rewarding and transformative nature of this journey. An anecdotal connection is made between hard manual labor in gardening and increased appreciation for bodily health and the labor of others.
Valuable Insights from an Inspiring Young Expert
Calvin Scheller, an 18-year-old science communicator, shares profound knowledge on insulin resistance while highlighting the importance of understanding its mechanisms. His journey began at age 13 due to a severe autoimmune disease, which motivated him to study medical literature extensively. He aims to empower individuals to take control of their health by breaking down complex topics around chronic conditions in an easily digestible manner. The collaboration between the speaker and Calvin aims to fill the gap in healthcare information that is accessible and actionable for patients grappling with chronic illness.
Understanding Insulin Resistance and Its Impact
Insulin resistance occurs when cells fail to respond properly to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and various metabolic issues. Understanding that insulin plays a crucial role in nutrient uptake, the lack of proper response results in either high insulin production or ineffective energy utilization, impacting overall metabolic health. Detailed discussions point to insulin resistance being a spectrum from insulin sensitive to insulin resistant, making awareness of its causes vital for preventive health measures. This emphasis on education can help patients manage their conditions more effectively, moving beyond just accepting a diagnosis.
Debunking Misconceptions About Carbohydrates and Fat
The podcast discusses a significant misconception regarding carbohydrates being the sole cause of insulin resistance, emphasizing that overconsumption of dietary fats can contribute more to the condition. It underscores the idea that both fats and carbohydrates, when consumed excessively, lead to weight gain and associated insulin resistance, but the approach should focus on overall caloric balance rather than restricting one macronutrient. Additionally, the standard American diet is characterized as high fat and high carb, leading to the conclusion that the excess itself is the core problem. This understanding encourages a more balanced intake of nutrients, emphasizing that carbohydrates do not need to be entirely demonized.
The Role of Fatty Acids in Insulin Resistance
Excess fatty acids in cells can interfere with insulin signaling, thereby contributing to insulin resistance through mechanisms like lipotoxicity. Diacylglycerols, derived from triglycerides, can activate certain proteins that disrupt proper insulin function. The podcast urges a focus on dietary choices that limit excessive saturated fat, suggesting alternatives like plant-based unsaturated fats which can enhance insulin sensitivity. This highlights the importance of not just reducing calories overall but being conscious about the type of fats consumed to foster better metabolic health.
The Multifaceted Causes of Insulin Resistance
A variety of factors contribute to insulin resistance, including obesity, sedentary lifestyle, micronutrient deficiencies, and chronic inflammation. Emotional stress can also influence insulin sensitivity, as cortisol's release can exacerbate fatty acid buildup in the absence of physicalactivity. Specific attention is paid to the body's inflammatory response, which can originate from chronic conditions such as gut dysbiosis. Understanding these multifactorial causes invites individuals to approach their health holistically and take control of their metabolic well-being through lifestyle changes.
Creating a Comprehensive Approach to Combat Insulin Resistance
To effectively combat insulin resistance, it's essential to adopt a holistic approach that targets multiple factors simultaneously. Strategies include achieving a healthy body weight, engaging in regular exercise, and ensuring adequate micronutrient intake to support overall metabolic function. The importance of reducing both stress and inflammatory triggers is also highlighted, with an emphasis on utilizing physical activity as a powerful tool against stress. This comprehensive approach allows individuals to build sustainable health habits and significantly enhance their metabolic health.
Ep 123. Calvin Scheller is an 18-year-old science extraordinaire who began studying and mastering medical literature in order to better communicate with his physicians after his own experience with autoimmune disease at the young age of 13. His courageous journey of self advocacy during a time when he felt alone and baffled by his symptoms led him to memorize, digest, integrate, and teach others about the complex mechanisms within our bodies (and how to heal through nutrition and lifestyle). He is a superb science communicator and now health coach – taking the difficulty out of reading medical studies, and putting the power of their information in our hands. Today, Calvin gives us a master class on insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, PCOS and why carbohydrates are NOT the cause of these conditions. We discuss the dietary factors that contribute to insulin resistance (and the many misconceptions you’ll find online), as well as the best ways to increase your insulin sensitivity and master your metabolic health well into old age.
HERE’S THE JUICE:
Why carbohydrates are not the cause of insulin resistance
How excess dietary fat is more problematic for insulin resistance than excess carbs or sugar
Why saturated fats can be more inflammatory within the context of insulin resistance than plant fats
The true mechanism behind insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome: excess fatty acids within our cells
How we can burn off the fatty acids that cause insulin resistance and why blood sugar spikes aren’t the FULL issue, they’re more of an effect
Why insulin resistance begins and how it’s actually an adaptation
How inflammation also drives insulin resistance and other holistic factors you need to take into account like chronic gut infections, to mineral deficiencies like zinc, to stress, processed foods, sleep issues and more
Why insulin resistance within the ovaries is specifically tied to PCOS and exactly how to target this with diet and lifestyle
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