Polyunsaturated Fats Block Glycolysis. The theory assumes that our diet drastically oversaturates (pun intended because saturated fat is yum and arguably good) our fat cells with PUFA's and (even more damaging) imbalances the Omega 3:6 ratio. PUFA's are the culprits for a dirty metabolism. Imagine a dirty oil making the whole machine run badly. You can go really deep and some researchers even theorize that our body has to store this excess quickly into fat because of the metabolic damage it causes. This would mean that burning this fat can cause damage and may be one of the reasons for the heavy detox symptoms that many experience. I always like to paint a mental picture of fat reserves. As you break through a certain fat reserve threshold, you enter 'old' fat reserves. These will cause symptoms. It's why the 'cleaner' you get the easier the fasting becomes. Of course, if you refeed with PUFAs, you can expect to enter into a loop that is very hard to get out of.
It also corroborates anecdotal experiences of dry fasting having the most healing effect on those who truly deplete most of their fat and get dangerously thin. This indicates true PUFA depletion and allows you to rebuild with a better ratio. Of course, there's much more to it all than just PUFAs, but I believe it's a big component.
Think about this more deeply as you plan your refeeds and general day-to-day diet.
Some quick notes.
PUFAs might cause mental illness; ketosis could fix it:
- Polyunsaturated fats block glycolysis.
- Without glycolysis, you can't burn glucose (carbohydrates).
- Without glucose, you must burn fat, but your brain can't burn fat directly.
- With PUFAs in your system, your brain "suffocates," leading to psychiatric issues.
- In ketosis, your brain burns ketones instead, potentially restoring normal function.
PUFAs might also cause hypothyroidism:
- Without glycolysis, you can't burn carbs, and excess glucose prevents fat-burning.
- This slows metabolism, lowers basal metabolic rate, and causes symptoms of hypothyroidism.
People with thyroid-like symptoms often have slow metabolism. Modern tests show no thyroid issues, but symptoms persist. Thyroid drugs might help by boosting metabolism. Ketosis could bypass glucose metabolism issues.
PUFAs contribute to the "metabolic swamp":
- Low-carb, high-fat, or high-carb, low-fat diets work better than balanced diets.
- Balanced diets can leave your metabolism stuck, not burning glucose or fat effectively.
PUFAs might also cause insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity:
- Impaired carb and fat metabolism likely affects insulin resistance and weight regulation.
Ketosis might not be necessary for mental benefits:
- Exogenous ketones could suffice, though glucose might still inhibit fat metabolism.
Do PUFAs block glycolysis?
- Research shows PUFAs suppress glycolytic genes, particularly in liver cells, but also in other cells.
- This might be a defense against cancer, as cancers thrive on glycolysis.
PUFAs and post-prandial slump:
- People with low PUFA levels gain energy from carbs, while those with high PUFA levels feel tired.
- This could be a marker for PUFA levels in the body.
Final note
Nuts and seeds are still somehow praised as heart-healthy fats when these fatty acids can directly disrupt our metabolisms, thyroid, hormones, and the health of our cells. Nuts aren’t bad, but where in nature would we be going out and eating pounds of nuts like we are today? Use nature as a clue to what is biologically appropriate for our cells. Focus instead on nourishing saturated fats like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and cacao (YUM).
PUFAs also wreck your libido. While there are many reasons for libido issues, the main one I’ve seen is physiological. No matter your personality, we can agree that how we fuel our body is crucial. Metabolism is often misunderstood, linked to youth and weight, but it affects so much more, like estrogen levels and sex drive. Addressing metabolism can radically change your libido. Blood work and urinalysis for mineral levels and biomarkers are essential. Being lean with a six-pack doesn’t equal health—often, it’s quite the opposite. High stress increases nutritional needs and depletes our bodies. If you’re not sleeping well or have low testosterone, it’s no wonder your sex drive, energy, and mood are low.
Remove PUFAs from your diet. The most important is seed oil. Unfortunately, a lot of our foods are contaminated. Chicken and cattle are fed grains, so their fat stores get filled with PUFAs. Saturated Fats are the way to go.
