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DARK Calories! How Vegetable Oils Destroy Your Health (& How You Can Get It Back) With Dr. Cate Shanahan

Boundless Life

NOTE

Understanding Insulin Resistance: The Key to Unlocking Fat Utilization

Insulin should not be labeled as the enemy in fat utilization; rather, it functions differently in individuals with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to high triglyceride levels, indicating that fat is released into the bloodstream but cannot be effectively used for energy by cells. Instead, cells preferentially consume other available fuels, such as sugar, which in turn lowers blood sugar levels. This creates a cycle where, as blood sugar drops, stress hormones like cortisol increase blood sugar by initiating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. With glycogenolysis limited to liver stores, gluconeogenesis—which converts protein from muscles and bones into sugar—dominates. This adaptive response explains the phenomenon of 'skinny fat', highlighting the critical importance of understanding insulin resistance for managing health effectively.

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