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How to get FAT!

Very few clients have ever asked about how to gain fat. Most are in the market for fat loss.

Whether you’re looking to gain or lose fat, the most well-known hormone related to fat storage is insulin.

Hundreds of well-executed studies over the past century have shown the “eat-less-exercise-more” method of weight control having some short term results (weight loss) and failing completely in the long term (weight is regained and even increased from baseline). Why?

What makes you gain fat, to begin with?

Increased production of insulin combined with insulin resistance, which is brought on by high insulin production (ironic, huh?). This cycle leads to weight gain and, as time marches on, to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Why is all this insulin around? Simply put sugar. Sucrose (50% glucose and 50% fructose) and high fructose corn syrup (45% glucose and 55% fructose) are the main culprits. Glucose stimulates insulin output while fructose induces insulin resistance. These sweeteners are frequently used in a majority of processed foods and drinks (soda, ketchup, candy, spice mixes, and more).

GRANDMA WAS RIGHT.

Ditch the sugar and sweet stuff and we can improve our insulin sensitivity while simultaneously reducing release of insulin. When we do this, our body has to produce its own glucose in the liver through gluconeogenesis. Where does the liver get the material to do this? FAT!

If you increase your insulin levels, which will lead to insulin resistance, which will lead to higher insulin levels, and so on, we will get fatter. If we reduce insulin levels and improve insulin sensitivity we won’t.

It’s important to note that artificial sweeteners also have a negative effect on insulin sensitivity, so we can’t fool our body with zero-calorie zero sugar sweeteners either.

Speak to the Live Well team at Pharmasave Summerland to learn more about weight management and insulin control and how to get fat.

Dan Cassidy – Registered Nutritional Product Advisor