As an ode to the gorging that tends to go on this time of year, I decided it is important to understand how the body responds in times of excess and scarcity. Every now and again we all tend to eat more than we need or wish we would have, and in response to this, we compensate by not eating for abnormally long periods of time, or over exercising. All foods eaten in excess can be stored as fat, and depending on our hormones and energy requirements, will be stored as fat.
Not surprising fat is the most readily of the macronutrients to be stored as fat, and takes 1/5 of the energy of carbs to be converted and stored as fat. Most of the dietary fat consumed is stored in the attractive adipose tissue in the body. Interestingly enough however, short and medium chain triglycerides such as coconut oil and butter are processed in the liver and used as a direct energy source rather than for storage.
When carbohydrates are consumed, they are first converted to glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles for our energy demands of normal bodily function. When carbs are eaten in excess insulin will direct the glucose to be stored in fat cells rather than in the muscles and liver.
Despite popular belief and practice, eating copious amounts of protein will not transform you into a muscle factory. Protein is first used to replenish our daily losses of protein, and can be used for energy when carb consumption is low (this is the basis of low carb diets). Beyond those needs however, protein, just like fat or protein eaten in excess can be stored as fat.
When we eat a meal the body uses all the nutrients consumed to replenish losses and then stores them for later use, as the body is in constant need for fuel, even during sleep. After about 4-5 hours the body has gone through most of the energy from the previous meal, and begins to go into a fasting state and begins to draw on the stores of energy. It will first use all excess carbs from the liver and the muscles, (this will last us up to 8 hours) then the body goes to excess fat and proteins to create energy. Fat breakdown almost doubles during fasting, and the body will begin to break down proteins in the muscles and the liver to get amino acids to make glucose for the nervous system and blood cells.
These dietary and systematic changes can inhibit our energy levels, appetite, metabolic rate, and mood amongst other things, which is why it is important to eat a consistent diet throughout the day and not starve in order to lose weight or to be able to feast at a Christmas party. Our bodies like consistency and you will function at a much higher level if you do not subject your body to constant changes of caloric supplies.
Thought of the week: “He that has satisfied his thirst, turns his back on the well.” Baltasar Gracian
-III
