Did you know that your genes determine how well your body is able to process carbohydrates in your diet? There is a specific gene (IRS1) that has been shown to be associated with a person’s insulin sensitivity and the effects of carbohydrates in the diet, and we’ll talk more about it in a little bit, but it’s important to first understand how carbohydrates work in the body.
When a person eats a carbohydrate, their body produces insulin to help absorb the glucose that is present in the blood after carb consumption. All cells use glucose for fuel, and brain cells and red blood cells use glucose as a primary source of energy. If cells have trouble absorbing blood sugar, the body releases greater amounts of insulin to help. Increased amounts of insulin can lead to insulin resistance. People who are overweight and/or physically inactive are at higher risk of insulin resistance and the condition can lead to diabetes, or uncontrolled high blood sugar.
Greater amounts of insulin released can also encourage fat storage. Since carbohydrate intake triggers insulin release, many people assume that eating more carbs is not healthy and can lead to body fat and weight gain, as well as diabetes. But the relationship is not that simple: many people who eat a high carbohydrate diet are not overweight and do not have diabetes. This is why no carb diets are not necessarily the answer to your weight loss.
The type of carbs consumed, as well as other foods in the diet and physical activity levels, can all play a role. As a rule, complex carbs are good for you and simple carbohydrates, like sugar, white pasta, and potatoes, are not good for you. Complex carbohydrates include things like organically grown fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, and other legumes like lentils, and you should include these in your diet while trying to stay away from simple carbs. Don’t do a no carb diet- just eat better carbs!
A quick suggestion- when looking for a snack, a sliced apple with some peanut butter or a salad with oil and vinegar dressing would be a great weight loss choice. The complex carbs and healthy fats fuel your metabolism and will maintain your blood sugar levels, boost your energy, and keep you satisfied longer.
IRS1, one specific gene, influences insulin resistance and the body’s response to carbs in the diet. One long term study found that people with a variant of this gene who ate a high carbohydrate, low fat diet that consisted of high fiber, whole plant foods, as opposed to processed, lower fiber carbs, had greater insulin sensitivity—and lower levels of insulin and insulin resistance—and experienced greater weight loss compared to a lower carb, higher fat diet.
As you can see, adopting a diet or exercise program without understanding your specific genotype is akin to “flying blind.” It doesn’t mean that you won’t experience weight loss – there is definite truth in the years of research that have resulted in today’s known best practices for healthy eating and physical activity. But you don’t need to do a no carb diet and hope that it works. Genetic science does suggest that diet and exercise programs can be enhanced and optimized when they are based upon a proper understanding of a person’s specific genotype.
The only way to know is to have your DNA tested so that you can see what these genes say about you. Genetic Direction can help – when you purchase GxSlim, our groundbreaking, science-based weight loss solution, you will get a comprehensive report detailing your genotype in these seven areas. Our professionals will then put together a set of recommendations that will help you achieve your goals, based exclusively on your genetic results. Today, it is possible to understand and act upon the weight loss roadmap that our bodies naturally give us. Let Genetic Direction guide you. To purchase GxSlim, or to learn more about Genetic Direction’s science and process, visit www.GeneticDirection.com.
