High-Fat Diet Slows Metabolism

A high-fat diet may change how your body processes nutrients, according to a study published in Obesity. Researchers at Virginia Tech put 12 college-aged men on either a standard diet or a diet high in saturated fat for five days. Muscle biopsies were used to asses changes in insulin sensitivity. Those who consumed the high-fat diet experienced an almost three-fold increase in endotoxins one hour after their meal and lost some ability to metabolize glucose.

Our muscles' ability to metabolize glucose is central to metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and diabetes. This study builds on research which has linked fat inside muscle cells and high-fat diets to insulin resistance, which over time can lead to type 2 diabetes.