(duration 31:25)
In this show we discuss the nature of the controversy about carb consumption among Paleo-style eaters in relation to health and longevity. Some have challenged the idea that Paleo is low-carb as well as the claim that insulin (via excess carbs) is the main culprit in fat gain. So, we explore the nature of insulin once again to dispel the myths surrounding macronutrient calories. The bottom line is that eating fewer grams of carbs per day–thus secreting less insulin–will have positive effects on your fat-burning as well as your long term heath. Perhaps the main misunderstanding, about for instance Gary Taubes’ insulin and fat loss claims, stems from the fact that excess carbs are necessary for fat accumulation, but sometimes not sufficient (depending on your genes). Rigorous scientific investigation is a difficult process, and confirmation bias tends to be an easy process, unfortunately. Keeping tabs on your blood readings is important, especially if you plan on doing an n=1 study on yourself. Needless to say, we’re not in favor of eating 30 bananas a day, or 20 mangos!
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Items mentioned in this episode:
Anthony Bourdain – No Reservations – Namibia 2:3 (what I referenced begins at the 9min mark)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYNf8ZCNZgg
Anthony Bourdain – No Reservations – Namibia 3:3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONq6KZD2JYQ
http://www.latestinpaleo.com/paleo-podcast/2011/8/15/episode-28-ahs-animal-style.html
http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2011/08/carbohydrate-hypothesis-of-obesity.html
Gary Taubes in-depth multi-post rebuttal: http://garytaubes.com/2011/11/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/health/our-ancestors-ate-a-low-carb-diet-63418.html
http://paleohacks.com/questions/13319/has-the-carb-pendulum-swung-too-far-in-the-opposite-direction
http://www.latestinpaleo.com/paleo-podcast/2011/8/29/latest-in-paleo-episode-30-gary-taubes.html
Nell Stephenson: Paleo Nutrition and Fitness Expert (Episode 399)
http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/shownotes/2381/nell-stephenson-paleo-nutrition-and-fitness-episode-399/
http://triswimcoachonline.com/tri/interview-with-ironman-triathletepaleo-dieter-nell-stephenson-podcast-31/
Re: Science Saturday: Why We Get Fat (John Horgan & Gary Taubes)
http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/35831
here’s a VERY informative interview with Gary Taubes
http://www.skepticality.com/the-science-of-fat/
Fasting Triglycerides, High-Density Lipoprotein, and Risk of Myocardial Infarction
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/96/8/2520.long
Insulin Resistance as a Predictor of Age-Related Diseases
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/86/8/3574.full.pdf
http://paleohacks.com/questions/12947/mainstream-article-linking-low-carb-and-insulin-control-to-longevity
further reading about insulin’s effects…
http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/does-insulin-deserve-a-bad-reputation-the-low-carb-experts-weigh-in/9458
http://healthymindfitbody.com/2010/12/25/does-insulin-really-deserve-a-bad-reputation/
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I’ve never approached a podcaster to come on their show, but this podcast really sparked me to comment here.
It’s the insulin RESISTANCE guys, not the insulin levels with respect to health factors. Insulin does not regulat fat mass levels, it regulates circulating metabolite levels — or tries to. Gary Taubes does not present physiology and endocrinology accurately, plain and simple. (Oh and when did Taubes go paleo?)
I would love to come on your show and discuss the science on insulin as well as the straw man arguments about CICO.
If you’re interested in a civil discussion of contrarian opinions, without the 30 bananas a day thing, feel free to email me at carbsane at gmail dot com.
Thanks for the note, CarbSane. I’ve heard your interview with Jimmy Moore, btw, which I found interesting. You’re clearly passionate about this subject and would like people to have a clear understanding of human metabolism. I’ve also listened to Jimmy’s show “Gary Taubes Responds to Critics (Episode 439, Pt. 1 ),” which delved into the subject further and touched on the history of disagreement here.
As you heard on our show, Kevin and I side with the evidence that Gary (et al.) has been presenting, which leads to the ineluctable conclusion that the insulin factor is what’s ~primarily~ responsible for fat accumulation and then later metabolic derangement (as we’ve also noted, more insulin secretion can lead to a host of other problems too, such as heart disease and cancer).
Circulating metabolite levels (such as your much-discussed non-esterified fatty acids) do indeed vary in the relative presence or absence of insulin. As you’ve noted, with increasing insulin resistance, more problems in this realm happen with NEFAs.
We also of course don’t believe CICO (calories in calories out) has much to do with people’s weight problems, because the hormonal effects of differing macronutrients are not being taken into account. Most people have no idea exactly how many calories they’re ingesting, let alone expending, but they can sufficiently guesstimate the amount of carbs they’re consuming–and it turns out that our food supply is loaded with them!
It’s tragic that so many people are overweight and obese, and if there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that the traditional dietary “wisdom” is not helpful for most people to achieve their ideal weight. Many things need to change, and hopefully more people will question the presumed “authorities” so that they will be more scientifically rigorous. We’re all for civil discussions of contrarian opinions, yet given the history of your disagreements with Taubes’ discussions of the insulin factor, I’m not sure we’d be able to find enough common ground to do a show justice. Thanks for the inquiry, nevertheless.