Weight Loss Axiom Number Three
Insulin and Glucagon
These are the two major hormones that control energy metabolism in the human. They are much like yin and yang, hot and cold or happy and sad. In order to really enjoy the good days, we all have bad days. Extremes of either too hot or too cold and soon everyone complains about the weather. Too much yin or too much yang and according to traditional Chinese Medicine, you are sick. Too much insulin and you are sick, hypertension, overweight, cancer, heart disease and stroke. Too much glucagon and you are too thin, emaciated and weak.
As we have mentioned previously, when man evolved there would be times of famine, between times of feast. The biochemistry of this evolution allowed man to survive the periods of famine by using insulin to "store" energy. Some typical "fuel" reserves in a 70 kilogram man:
Organ ***************** Available energy (kcal)
************ glucose/glycogen ***** fat ***** protein
blood *********** 60 ************** 45 ********* 0
liver *********** 400 ************* 450 ******** 400
brain *********** 8 *************** 0 ********** 0
muscle ********** 1200 ************ 450 ******** 24000
adipose(fat) **** 80 ************** 135,000 **** 40
from Stryer Biochemistry 4th Edition page 771
Look at the chart and find the biggest number. The largest amount of available energy in an average 70 kilogram human is overwhelmingly stored in -fat. For the purpose of this discussion let's think of each of these numbers above as fuel tanks, for our energy needs. When we fill up our cars with gasoline (our old Mercedes B100 biodiesel) we have to have a fuel hose to get the fuel into our gas tank. In order to use that fuel in our gas tanks, we have to have a fuel line leading from the gas tank to the motor in our car. Without these fuel lines, we could not utilize our engine / car.
Enzymatic Induction
Human biochemistry is composed of many different enzyme systems. One such enzyme is phosphofructokinase that catalyzes the reaction of fructose 6-phosphate to fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. As with any biochemical reaction that is dependant on an enzyme system, the more it is used, the more developed it becomes. If there is no need for an enzyme, then the levels in the body will be very low. If there is much demand for an enzyme, then the body will synthesize more of it to meet the demands.
Filling your tank with gas
The fuel line for the human body to fill its energy storage tanks, especially the largest energy storage tank fat, is insulin. Insulin is the hose that energy (gasoline, biodiesel) flows from the storage tank (breakdown products of your recently ingested meals) into your gas tank for future use. Without this fuel line insulin, you will eventually go into a coma (hyperosmolar) that if not treated, can result in less than optimal outcomes.
Using the gas in your tank
When we drive our cars, we use the energy stored in the fuel tanks. In order for us to use that fuel, it must get from the storage tank to the motor. In the human, that fuel line is glucagon. Remember, insulin stores energy, glucagon utilizes that stored energy. Just as insulin stimulates energy storage and the necessary enzyme systems, glucagon stimulates energy utilization and the necessary enzyme systems required to accomplish this.
Life in the Fed State
The problem today is that we have evolved from creatures that did not have consistent daily feedings to our "modern" fast food insanity and the notion that now we need three "square" meals a day plus snacks. What happens to our energy metabolism when we start out putting insulin stimulating foods in our stomach three times a day? When we eat, our biochemistry reacts by secreting insulin, so that we can store all this energy for future needs -most of it going into fat. Long before we have used any of this energy, we are having another meal -lunch. More gas in our tanks, -none used yet. Then comes dinner -more gas into our tank. Snacks -more gas in. We spend our whole day and most of the night in a "fed" or insulin state.
Huge fuel tanks full of fat -everywhere
Because we never allow our body's insulin level to drop enough so that the glucagon level will rise, we never get into a "glucagon" state. Our whole car is now filled mostly with gas. There is hardly any room for a driver in the front seat. Huge fuel tanks full of fat are everywhere we look. Your car is loaded with gas, but you can't drive around the block because you haven't developed the enzymes of energy utilization to establish a fuel line between all these gas tanks full of fat and our motor, which is now also encased in fat. While insulin is the fuel line to fill our energy stores, glucagon is the fuel line to use this stored energy. Without proper stimulation of the glucagon system, our tanks just keep filling up with fat. We never develop the necessary enzymes to use all this energy. You don't have to travel too far to see people totally encased in their stored energy.
Livin' la vida de glucagon
To break this cycle, we need to stop eating for at least a portion of the day, or at least every other day. I don't know how many of you have ever fasted for 24 hours or more, but the feeling is incredible. You get a lot more work done, you don't get lethargic after eating and you start to actually feel thin. I don't recommend fasting more than 24 hours and I am not actually recommending a 24 hour fast. What I am recommending is that during some portion of every day or at least every other day, you refrain from eating anything so that you can get into a glucagon state and begin to induce the necessary enzymes to use all the energy the human body can store.
Summary
Like it or not, three meals a day plus snacks is just not healthy.
Copyright ? John Mericle M.D. 2005 All Rights Reserved
To sign up for Dr. Mericle's Newsletter or visit the MericleDiet please click on the link below.
DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal training in organic chemistry and biochemistry, medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.
quick home cleaning Glenview ..Did you know that how and when you eat is... Read More
We've entered the Twilight Zone when it comes to the... Read More
When the DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health Education Act) was passed... Read More
Any true body transformation starts with self?discovery. It is an... Read More
Want an after dinner snack? Jealously watching your family consume... Read More
If you are looking for a way to lose fifty... Read More
Are you sick of the hype? Wondering what diet products... Read More
1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many... Read More
For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More
Maybe you've heard about body dysmorphia ? it's a mental... Read More
We are bombarded with advertisements pushing delicious looking, fat filled,... Read More
Ever notice how your best friend can lose weight on... Read More
There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
An article published in http://www.inch-aweigh.com mentioned, "If you are eating... Read More
As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Getting enough of the good fats will help you lose... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy at the beginning of August... Read More
When we discover that we are heavier than we want... Read More
One common question I receive is, "What do you do... Read More
You won't believe what happened to me today!I was getting... Read More
Unfortunately, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, with over 60% of... Read More
Many of us have tried losing weight in the past... Read More
WEIGHT LOSS:Nutrition and weight-loss researchers say that some supplements can... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..Do you know anybody who does not wish to get... Read More
If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing... Read More
1. Quit snacking in between meals. Do not fall for... Read More
Here's what to do if you want to wear that... Read More
When Instant Results Take TimeYesterday I decided to "get back... Read More
Not everyone can handle hot food. But who said cayenne... Read More
The holidays are definitely a special time of year. These... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
Visualizing and Declarations are today's topics.Visualize what you want as... Read More
Both men and women around the world are becoming fatter... Read More
I bet you already know all the health benefits for... Read More
Obesity is a disease that is not caused by a... Read More
Doctor, Why Can't I Loose Weight and by the... Read More
In recent years, carbohydrates have been labeled as the nutrition... Read More
Have you ever wondered why diet books always seem to... Read More
What a great world we live in. You want something,... Read More
Today you have a good chance of getting diabetes or... Read More
Two basic approaches to losing weight; one approach is correct... Read More
The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This nutritional powerhouse... Read More
Calorie burn can be really enhanced if you follow a... Read More
It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound... Read More
I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More
The 8-Week Campaign to Survive the HolidaysEating preparations in the... Read More
I just came back from three days in Las Vegas.... Read More
Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for... Read More
Weight Loss |