Sensitivity to insulin plays a major role in our overall metabolic health. Metabolic inflexibility is related to the development of several health problems, such as obesity, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In today’s world we are finding that many people are caught in a glucose-dominant state, which when combined with excessive calories and a sedentary lifestyle, results in a loss of metabolic flexibility. Such loss is a cause for numerous chronic metabolic diseases but can easily be fixed with a change in lifestyle. While more research needs to be done, some studies are showing that by removing carbohydrates from a diet, the metabolic flexibility can be improved. Thus, a ketogenic diet may be desirable for improving metabolic flexibility.
Key Takeaways:
- Many people exceed the daily recommended calories and live a sedentary lifestyle, which results in a loss of their metabolic flexibility.
- Mitochondria, which is the powerhouse of the cell, plays a major role in our metabolism.
- Exercising regularly is important because it aids in improving metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial function.
“Metabolic inflexibility is thought to contribute to the development of not only obesity and type-2 diabetes, but also cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, reduced immune function, and an increased risk for certain cancers.”
