What Macronutrient Makes You Fat
When we talk about improving your health, one of the most important things to focus on is what you eat. Certain foods can be too much of something and thus contribute to weight gain or loss.
A small amount of protein, carbs, or fat may not do much, but when consumed in large amounts they all have different effects on your body.
Carbohydrates are simple sugars and fibers that our bodies use for energy. Diets high in carbohydrates are called “high sugar” diets because they contain lots of glucose and insulin can easily access this glucose.
Insulin helps regulate blood glucose levels so having too much can cause hyperglycemia, which is abnormally high blood glucose. Since glucose is a major source of fuel for muscles, eating enough proteins makes it more difficult to achieve balance and stay within normal limits. This can lead to inflammation and overweight.
Too many carbs also increase appetite, making it easier to consume additional calories. That, combined with an increased need for insulin to process them, creates a cycle that leads to obesity.
Fortunately, there are ways to combine nutrients to promote healthy weight loss or maintenance. More than anything, staying away from empty carbs and excess intake of fats is your best bet.
What kind of fat is most helpful? Saturated fat has been linked to higher risk of heart disease and some studies suggest it may even boost cholesterol.
