For about three to four hours after you begin eating a typical meal, your body is operating in what is called a “fully fed state.” Essentially, your body is operating on what you just ate. From that point your insulin levels return to pre-meal levels, and the body is fueled from stored energy that is being released in a catabolic process. I call this state “maximum metabolic mode,” which is the time when the most body fat is being burned. This mode can continue for another 12 to 18 hours until you eat again. This is because your bloodstream contains a steady supply of essential nutrients to stave off the breakdown of lean body mass while your endocrine system is signaling for the release of stored energy. The moment you eat anything that provokes a significant rise in blood sugar, this maximum metabolic mode stops. Because of snacking and eating too frequently, most people spend little or no time in maximum metabolic mode.

There remains the issue of catabolism of muscle and lean body mass during extended periods of maximum metabolic mode. Depending on the amount and kind of protein or amino acids consumed at the previous meal, catabolism of muscle and lean body mass can begin within four to six hours. This is one situation where my “Stealth Technique” or “Micro Fast” technique of delivering essential amino acids to the bloodstream can help stave off muscle loss without disrupting the body’s maximum metabolic mode. (See “The Dynamic Role of Protein in Weight Loss” chapter.) This strongly suggests that eating three meals per day is better than six for weight optimization.

Many people say they cannot go six hours without eating for any number of reasons, and some conclude they are hypoglycemic, which is true for some. But just because someone believes they cannot go that long does not invalidate how important it is for their health and longevity. For many of these people, it is just a matter of learning to fuel properly and even training themselves to allow more time between meals. Interestingly, some people are diagnosed with hypoglycemia because of years of improper fueling, resulting in tired adrenal glands. The conventional medical approach to hypoglycemia is to eat more frequently, which tends to further exacerbate the problem—a vicious cycle for sure. The conventional medical approach to treating pre-diabetes and diabetes is equally maddening. For those of you who are dealing with these conditions, I want to tell you there is hope beyond your doctor’s office. I have seen it and firmly believe that many blood sugar issues, including hypoglycemia, type 2 diabetes, and Syndrome X, can be reversed through diet and lifestyle changes.

KC Craichy
Author
The Super Health Diet