Tag: Metabolic flexibility

The human body stores over twice as much energy per gram in fat compared to carbohydrates, making it an incredibly efficient fuel reserve. Shifting your metabolism to regularly use this extensive supply is a key to sustained energy, enhanced endurance, and effective weight management. This guide details how to use fat as an energy source through practical dietary and lifestyle changes.

After consuming your last meal, your body will first burn stored glucose (glycogen) before transitioning to fat. This metabolic shift, which is key to understanding at what point does your body start eating its own fat, typically occurs after about 12–16 hours without food, though individual factors can influence this timeline.

While the initial phase of ketosis can be reached in days, becoming truly fat-adapted—where your body efficiently uses fat for fuel—typically takes between 4 and 12 weeks for most people. The crucial question for many is whether this metabolic state, characterized by stable energy and reduced hunger, can endure indefinitely or if it is easily lost.

According to some dietitians, many people find the strict, long-term adherence of a standard ketogenic diet challenging, leading to high dropout rates. In response, the keto cycle, or cyclical ketogenic diet, has emerged as a potential solution, but the central question remains: does the keto cycle work as an effective and sustainable dietary strategy?

The human body is an adaptable machine, and when it doesn't have enough carbohydrates for energy, it switches to burning fat instead. This metabolic switch, known as ketosis, can occur due to diet, fasting, or prolonged exercise. Understanding why is my body using fat for fuel instead of glucose is key to understanding your body's energy regulation.

The human brain, though only accounting for about 2% of the body's weight, consumes over 20% of the body's total energy, making it the most metabolically demanding organ. This incredible energy requirement has long been a subject of scientific debate concerning its fuel source: does the brain run on glucose, fat, or a combination?

Approximately one-third of American adults suffer from metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions linked to a state of metabolic inflexibility where the body cannot efficiently switch between fuel sources. The Met Flex diet addresses this by training your metabolism to become more adaptable and use both fat and carbohydrates for energy.

According to scientific research, the average person has enough stored body fat to fuel hundreds of miles at a leisurely pace, yet most recreational runners hit a wall when their limited carbohydrate stores are depleted. This paradox is what makes learning how to burn fat instead of carbs running a game-changer for endurance and weight management.

According to a 2022 review in the journal *Nutrients*, ketones offer efficient antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can support brain health. So, is mild ketosis good for health? The answer is nuanced and depends on individual circumstances, as this metabolic state presents both potential benefits and risks.

Over 70% of the brain's energy needs can be met by ketones during prolonged fasting, highlighting their vital function as a potent alternative fuel source. The role of ketones in the body extends far beyond mere energy production, influencing cellular signaling, mitochondrial health, and inflammation.