# Hormones cause weight gain, not calories Most diets are built upon the theory that weight gain or loss is determined by whether you eat in a caloric surplus or in a caloric deficit. Surely, there is some truth to this, since it is based on thermodynamics. However, it can be argued that calories are not created equal, and their nature can significantly affect the outcome of a diet. Glucose in the blood damages bodily function through a process called glycation, so it is broken down as triglycerides in your body fat. It also triggers insulin synthesis in the pancreas. However, high serum insulin prevents the breakdown of fat tissue because hormone-sensitive lipase, the enzyme that is responsible for this function, is sensitive to insulin. Therefore, high blood sugar and insulin keep us fat and hungry (see [[Sugar is poison for the liver]]). If you feed your body properly, it will regulate its consumption on its own. In 1960, Ethan Sims tried to overfeed human subjects: he could get them to absorb 7,000 excess calories in carbs, but 800 calories of fat took a lot of effort (see [[Sugar is more to blame than fat for weight gain]]). Also, fiber reduces the rate of carbohydrate absorption, and therefore the insulin response. As hunter-gatherers, we used to get between 100 and 300g of fibers a day. Now, by contrast, we eat only about 15g of fiber, and our food contains much more sugar. --- ## 📚 References - [[@whativelearnedWhyWeGetFat2016|Why we get Fat AND Hungry | (Biology of Weight Gain & Low-Carb )]]