Research Corner - Q&A The Myth of Carbohydrates by Scott Pullen | Date Released : 29 Aug 2001 0 comments Print Close Question: I have heard that carbohydrates stimulate insulin release and insulin stores fat. Therefore, eating carbohydrates makes you fat. What is the truth? Answer: Humans are periodic eaters but continual metabolizers. We eat more than we need at a sitting because we may have to go a period of time without food, even though the body’s energy needs are constant. This makes insulin and its storage functions necessary. Insulin takes the excess glucose to the muscle to be stored as glycogen. Insulin also takes excess glucose to the liver where it may be stored as liver glycogen, or converted to fatty acids and stored in adipose tissue. Without insulin, eating would have to be continuous, much like a hummingbird, because we would have no means of storing and retrieving energy. This process of storing energy for later makes the serum glucose levels fall again. As a result, insulin levels drop (over approximately one hour) and glucagon is released from the pancreas. This hormone stimulates the release of glycogen and fatty acids into the blood. Thus, the energy that was stored is later retrieved. The net amount of fat in storage at the end of the day is dependent only on how many calories were eaten versus how many were burned. Proponents of this misconception are often those who believe in eating a high protein diet in an effort to either gain muscle or avoid/lose fat. The irony is that protein stimulates insulin secretion too (it just so happens that insulin is involved in protein synthesis, which requires amino acids to occur). Oddly, this fact is never mentioned by the anti-carbohydrate, high–protein hordes. Back to top About the author: Scott Pullen Being a natural bodybuilder made Scott Pullen learn and apply nutrition, exercise and supplementation in a way many may never need to, but it also fueled a career in the fitness industry that has spanned over 20 years. Scott left an early career path in clinical/public health nutrition to focus on those seeking health promotion and fitness. He has developed and implemented individual training programs for thousands of clients as a trainer and educated tens of thousands of fitness enthusiasts working as an educator for Apex Fitness, dotFIT LLC and as a Master Instructor for NASM since 1997. Scott brings to the fitness industry a unique blend of academic and practical experience, having worked in virtually every capacity in the health club environment. In addition, Scott was chosen as the team nutrition consultant for the New York Yankees in 2007. Scott’s true passion is presenting and educating, adding humor and real life application to his presentations. Scott has a BS in Human Nutrition & Dietetics and his MS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, with an emphasis on rehab science. Additionally, he has his NASM CPT, CES and PES. Full Author Details Related content Content from Scott Pullen The Crossover Concept Bob Seebohar | Articles Training Myths Charles Poliquin | Articles Carbo Load Before Labor? Lisa Druxman | Articles Food Combining Strategies Paul Chek | Articles Nutrition and Lifestyle Assessments Part 1 by Paul Chek | Videos Weight Loss and Diabetes John Mamana | Articles Carb Intake With Weight Loss Carla Sottovia | Articles Carbs at Night Scott Pullen | Articles Vegetarian Muscle Building Scott Pullen | Articles Herbs - Inherent Risks and Apparent Benefits Scott Pullen | Articles Weight Loss Physiology Scott Pullen | Articles Tribulus Terrestris and Ginkgo Biloba Scott Pullen | Articles Weight Loss - Overeating or Poor Metabolism? Scott Pullen | Articles Glycemic Index Scott Pullen | Articles Overweight Teens Scott Pullen | Articles Hyponatremia and Fitness Scott Pullen | Articles L-Glutamine Scott Pullen | Articles Diet for Menopause and Hormonal Problems Scott Pullen | Articles Protein Intake for Hypertrophy Scott Pullen | Articles Apple Cider Vinegar Scott Pullen | Articles Endometriosis Scott Pullen | Articles Kynoselen Supplement Scott Pullen | Articles Exercise, Free Radicals and Antioxidants Scott Pullen | Articles Steroid Withdrawal Scott Pullen | Articles Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Scott Pullen | Articles Birth Control and Weight Gain Scott Pullen | Articles Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Scott Pullen | Articles Niacin Scott Pullen | Articles Female Training: Toning Issues Scott Pullen | Articles Glucosamine and Arthritis Scott Pullen | Articles Carbs at Night Scott Pullen | Articles The Myth of Carbohydrates Scott Pullen | Articles Why Does My Client Gain Weight on 1000 Calories a Day Scott Pullen | Articles The Truth About Weight Loss Scott Pullen | Articles Insulin Resistance and Obesity: Are Carbs the Culprit? Scott Pullen | Articles Aspartame Scott Pullen | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top