EUGENIZATION.

Peter’s latest post on his blog Hyperlipid is simply incredible; if you’re science-minded at all (or fancy yourself idiot savant in biochemistry) check it out.

For the rest of you, here’s a summary:

A question - If insulin acts as a gatekeeper for fat storage (by increasing levels of alpha glycerol phosphate), then how is it possible to gain weight on a low-carb diet (where insulin levels are automatically kept low via diet)?

A proposed answer - ASP (Acylation Stimulating Protein).  This enzyme stimulates fat storage by fat cells and while it does seem to be associated with insulin levels, seems to do its job independent of insulin, mostly in the period after meals. 

If this is the case, it opens up a pathway for fat storage aside from high insulin levels, explaining why it’s possible to gain fat on a high-calorie low-carb diet. 

All this is just highfalutin’ science stuff for me to geek on; the implications to someone looking to lose weight are unchanged - that is, that omitting grains, sugars, and starches from your diet doesn’t give you the license to pig out on bacon and pork rinds.  You still have to watch your caloric intake.  You’re just more likely to taste success with a low-carb approach because:

1. You won’t be stimulating insulin secretion, so you’ll be minimizing appetite
2. You’ll be more sated due to higher fat content in the diet (i.e., not as hungry)
3. You’ll be eating foods that are more nutrient dense (meat, vegetables, fruit) in lieu of foods that are less so (carbs).

To repeat - if you want to save yourself a headache - if you overconsume calories on a low-carb regimen, it is possible to gain weight, so don’t do it.