Excess protein and carbohydrates ( englisch )

The Silent Danger: How Diet, Excess Protein, and Carbohydrates Can Contribute to Insulin Resistance

In today’s world, our eating habits are under constant scrutiny – and rightly so. In the past, the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes seemed to be mostly confined to older adults. However, more and more young adults and even children are now being diagnosed with this condition. This alarming trend forces us to rethink our diet and its impact on our metabolism. It’s not just sugar and carbohydrates, which are quickly converted into glucose, that play a role; the amount of animal protein we consume is also significant.

Sugar and Carbohydrates: A Well-Known Culprit

It is well known that sugar and simple carbohydrates – like those found in white bread, sweets, and sugary drinks – are rapidly converted into glucose. These quick blood sugar spikes cause our body to produce more insulin to transport the glucose from the blood into the cells. However, if this process is triggered too often, the system can become overwhelmed, leading to insulin resistance over time. In this state, insulin is no longer able to work effectively because the cells become resistant to the hormone.

The Role of Proteins: More Than Just Building Blocks

While carbohydrates often take center stage as the culprit, another factor is frequently overlooked: proteins. Our body has well-defined storage sites for glucose, such as in the liver, and for fats, in our fat deposits. But where do we store proteins? Scientific speculation suggests that excess proteins may accumulate in the basement membranes of our blood vessels.

These membranes, which act as a barrier between the cells and the blood vessels, can become increasingly impermeable due to protein deposits. This results in elevated blood pressure, as the heart needs to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed vessels. Here, the connection becomes clear: If the basement membranes are less permeable, it becomes more difficult for insulin to transport glucose from the blood into the cells. This marks the beginning of insulin resistance.

The Alarming Increase in Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes

In recent decades, we have witnessed a dramatic rise in cases of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, particularly among younger people. In the past, this disease mainly affected older adults, but now we see more children and teenagers developing it. But why?

There are two main factors that could be contributing to this trend: our increased consumption of carbohydrates and the drastically higher intake of animal protein. While carbohydrates were consumed in moderation in the past – think of the occasional bread roll or Sunday cake – they now have a permanent place in our daily diets. On top of that, the consumption of meat, sausage, and animal products has increased significantly compared to a few decades ago.

A Look at the Past: What Can We Learn?

When I was a child, food access was quite different in many households. Meat was a rare treat, typically served as a Sunday roast. During the week, there might be a piece of sausage in pea soup or some eggs in mustard sauce – and that was it. Bread was also limited, usually just one slice in the morning and another at dinner, often topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, or radishes. Cookies or cake? Those were reserved for special occasions, like Sundays or holidays. Diabetes was almost exclusively found in older adults or in wealthier households.

Today, we and our children eat far more carbohydrates and animal protein than back then. It seems these two factors play a critical role in the increasing prevalence of diabetes.

Conclusion: Balance in Diet Is Key

Modern diets present numerous health challenges, and both an excess of carbohydrates and animal protein appear to contribute to the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. Therefore, it is essential to find a healthy balance in our diet. A diet rich in fiber, healthy fats, and moderate amounts of protein, combined with regular exercise, is the key to maintaining stable blood sugar levels and staying healthy in the long run.

Perhaps our ancestors intuitively understood what scientific research is confirming today: Less is often more, and a balanced diet can be the best protection against the silent dangers of our modern eating habits.