Based on my previous post, we’ve talked about how ketosis can unleash maximum power mentally and physically. On today’s blog post, we’ll be talking about the comparison of carbohydrates versus fat and why ketosis is the best diet to increase energy.
The Log vs. The stick
One of the best analogies for highlighting the difference and advantage of burning fat vs. carbs as your primary fuel source is the log vs. the stick.
When you’re burning primarily carbs and you’re glucose dependent, its sort of like throwing match sticks on a campfire. As time passes you have to constantly throw another stick in the fire to keep it going.
A typical match stick looks like a bread stick, potato chip, sports drink, soda pop, fruit, pastry, granola bar or candy bar (how long does Snickers really satisfy?).
In contrast, when you have become fat adapted and burn fat as your primary fuel source it’s like throwing a big log on the fire. As time passes, it just keeps on burning – sure and steady. This log shows up as an avocado, walnuts, almonds, olive oil, coconut oil, fish, the perfect keto bar, etc.
Now can you imagine yourself as a stick that burns up in minutes or would you rather be a slow burning log that takes hours to burn?
More Testosterone
Remember those hormones we talked about, which CICO doesn’t take into consideration? Well, testosterone is one of them, so if you’re at all short on sexual potency I’d imagine this might be of special interest to you. Fortunately, the lists of studies on this subject are extensive as best selling author and well-known keto advocate Dave Asprey explains:
“Restricting calories and/or fat consumption, sends the same stress signals that shut down fertility and tells your body to use all your hormone building blocks to produce cortisol instead of testosterone… high cortisol produces insulin resistance, fat gain, and breakdown of muscle.”
In one particular study participants who ingested 75 grams of glucose saw a decrease in testosterone levels by up to 25% for over two hours. Of course, this makes sense when you consider corn flakes and graham crackers were designed to lower libido in a time when sex drive was considered a problem.
Fortunately, studies show that increasing saturated fat can actually increase your testosterone levels, the inverse of which has also been proven.
For example, when subjects who had been eating a diet consisting of over 40% fat reduced their consumption to 25% they found a corresponding decline in testosterone levels. Imagine that, you get to eat fat and become sexually potent at the same time! Can you picture it?
While this may sound pretty awesome, just know, as all things in life have a limit, so too does fat consumption and its ability to boost your testosterone. Studies also show that by eating too much fat you can lower your testosterone, so make sure you follow The Power Diet guidelines for macronutrients.
No More Carboholic Cravings
By eating more fat and fewer carbs, over time, your body will adjust and gain more metabolic flexibility. And more importantly, you’ll no longer be a slave to carbs and all their power draining effects like inflammation, cravings, low energy, poor focus and reduced power.
Can you imagine not having to constantly eat food or lose focus when you’re doing something important?
Oxidative Damage Is Significantly Reduced
Free radicals are unstable atoms that can cause damage to parts of cells such as proteins, DNA, and cell membranes through a process called oxidation.
Unfortunately, when you burn primarily carbs as fuel (you’re a stick burner), this raises your blood glucose levels too high and makes you more susceptible to the ravaging effects of oxidation.
In this regard, you can also think of carbs as dirty fuel that is more susceptible to oxidation and fat as clean burning fuel, which is less susceptible. As Dr. Joseph Mercola states:
“When you adopt a high-fat, low-carb diet and make the switch to burning fat and ketones for fuel instead of glucose, your mitochondria’s exposure to oxidative damage drops by as much as 30 to 40 percent compared to when your primary source of fuel is sugar, as is typical in American diets today. This means that when you are “fat adapted”—that is, when you have made the transition to burning fat for fuel—your mitochondrial DNA, cell membranes, and protein can remain stronger, healthier, and more resilient.”
This discovery is monumental since your mitochondria are the critical energy generating machines in every cell of your body. And the more mitochondria you have and the better they function the more powerful you’ll be and the longer you’ll live.
Now can you imagine having millions upon millions of little soldiers with protective shields over them cranking out power for you? This is the power provided by burning primarily fat instead of carbs.
If you’re looking for for more information about boosting your energy and switching up your diet, kindly check out “The Power Diet‘ by Chad Scott.
