C is for Carbs-- The science behind the low carb diet.

Here is the best and most succinct explanation I have been able to find that explains the need for low carbs for weight loss.

There are two forms of fat in the human body: triglycerides and fatty acids. Human fat/adipose tissue/love handles – whatever you call it – this is the fat stored as triglycerides. Fatty acids are burned for fuel. Triglycerides are three fatty acids joined together by something called glycerol Fat enters and exits fat cells as fatty acids (triglycerides are too big to move across the cell membrane – think of a membrane as a cell ‘wall’).

When we talk about fat stored as human fat tissue, we are talking about triglycerides. Inside the fat cell, fatty acids continually ‘cycle’ across the cell membrane and back out again. Fatty acids can be used as fuel during this process (or recycled/stored if they are not used). If three fatty acids are joined by glycerol to form a triglyceride, they can’t get back out of the fat cell until the triglyceride is broken back down into glycerol and fatty acids.

The critical role in this triglyceride, fatty acid, and fat storage process is, therefore, played by glycerol. Glycerol provides the ‘backbone’ needed to bind three fatty acids into a triglyceride. It therefore determines the rate at which fatty acids become triglycerides within fat cells i.e. the rate at which humans store fat. If we make more glucose available to fat cells, more glycerol can be made. If more glycerol can be made, more fat is stored in the fat cells.

Anything that works to transport more glucose into fat cells will lead to the conversion of more fatty acids into triglycerides and more storage of fat (i.e. weight gain). The easiest and most effective way of achieving this fat storage environment is to eat carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose by the body, causing blood glucose levels to rise and making glucose widely available to the body. Furthermore carbohydrate breaking down into glucose causes insulin to be released and insulin facilitates fat storage. So, eat carbs and you make weight gain easy and highly likely. Avoid carbs and the body can burn its own fuel – that means your body fat – i.e. weight loss.

Essentially the body is in a carbohydrate/glucose/fat-storing environment or a carbohydrate-free/fatty acid/fat-burning environment and we have known this since the 1920’s!

http://www.zoeharcombe.com/the-knowledge/weight-gain-is-about-fat-stored/

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Great post!  I love learning the science behind things!

Does this apply to veggies too?  My doctor wants me to try to eat more fruit and veggitables...*sigh*

This applies to all carbs.  As a matter of fact the same site has a great explanation as to why fruit is making us fat.  Yes, you should eat veggies.  However, you should only eat veggies after you have met your protein goals and you should choose low carb, green veggies as much as possible.  Most of my meals during the losing stage were 2-3 ounces of protein and a few bites of green veggies.  I did not touch fruit except for blueberries until goal. 

Thanks!  That's good to know.  I started amping up the amount of fruit and veggies I was eating and noted my weight loss slowing.  I'll back off on those again for awhile, especially the fruit!

 That really helps explain the need for low carbs. I just received an email from Unjury this morning about why we need to amp up protein. All this info is really helpful to understand this whole process. 

Here is part of the email from Unjury. 

With UNJURY. One scoop in 8 ounces of milk gives you 28grams of protein.

Question:

OK, so what does 28 grams of protein do for me?

Answer:

It gives your body the protein you need to maintain, rebuild and strengthen itself. It’s really an important part of good health. As we come into winter, it’s a good time to remember that you need protein to maintain your immune system. It helps you focus and think better. It keeps you from being hungry and snacking on the wrong things.f

This is great thanks Elina

 Yet another informative post!  It's amazing how smart you make the rest of us!!    lol

Nice!

 Wonderful post. I love knowing the science behind "the rules"! 

This explanation is so easy to understand. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this.!