Causes of Insulin Resistance: The Personal Fat Threshold

This video discusses the personal fat threshold hypothesis, a key concept in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

- SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL FOR MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS -

- JOIN THE NOURISHED BY SCIENCE COMMUNITY: RECEIVE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO MAKE EVIDENCE-BASED DIETARY CHANGES TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASE -

- VIDEO DESCRIPTION -
Being overweight or obese is associated with a substantially increased risk of becoming insulin-resistant and developing type 2 diabetes.

However, not everyone with obesity is insulin resistant, and many people with even morbid obesity never develop diabetes. At the same time, some people develop type 2 diabetes even though they are barely overweight or even have a body mass index in the normal range, while others are obese and never develop diabetes. How can these observations be reconciled?
The cumulative evidence on the topic suggests a model called the personal fat threshold hypothesis. This hypothesis posits that insulin resistance and glucose intolerance are associated with fat accumulation in some tissues, whereas fat accumulation in others is metabolically benign.

In this video, we will thoroughly review the personal fat threshold hypothesis, how fat tissue works, and what happens inside the body when fat can no longer be safely stored.

- TIP JAR: SUPPORT MY EFFORTS TO CREATE THIS FREE CONTENT -

- LINK TO BLOG POST AND REFERENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIDEO -

- TIMESTAMPS -
0:00 Introduction
04:18 Weight Gain is Associated With an Increase in Insulin Resistance
08:37 How Fat Can Safely Be Stored in the Body
10:53 The Type of Body Fat that Triggers Insulin Resistance
13:15 How Fat Tissue Works
23:49 The Personal Fat Threshold
26:37 What is the Evidence Supporting the Personal Fat Threshold Hypothesis?
30:00 Why is the Personal Fat Threshold Hypothesis Relevant?
32:30 How Do We Know Whether We Have Crossed Our Own Personal Fat Threshold?
35:43 Summary

- LINKS -
Nourished by Science Online:

- SIMILAR VIDEOS -
Video on the Regulation of Blood Sugar
Video on the Measurement of Insulin Resistance
Video on How to Avoid Blood Sugar Spikes

- DISCLOSURES AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY -

- DISCLAIMER -

[peterbedford]

Fasted work outs in the morning really helped me drop the last few pounds

[marcdaniels]

I must have watched literally 100s of nutrition and health videos over the last 5 years and this is without doubt the absolute BEST. Clear, well explained with no food tribe drama. I hope as many people as possible can see this so that they are better educated and can steer away from the hype and nonsense being pedalled to them by YT "experts" and "doctors" interested in promoting their books or extreme lifestyles. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[johannel]

Thanks Dr K. This was very illuminating and seems to explains the weird cases where skinny people have diabetes and very overweight people do not.

[Carterofmars]

One of the best scientist on YT. Mario is extremely rational in arriving at his determinations. Nothing is taken for granted or at face value and is properly (as far as this layman can tell), analyzed. He sites credible sources of scientific studies and journals. End result: a VERY high level of confidence in his material.

I'd love to see Dr. Katz and Dr. Becky Gillaspy, another very credible YT doctor, in a long form discussion. 👍👍👍

[fkrbueh]

Roy Taylor's work is the benchmark. Professor at Newcastle University.

[SaSPonchICo]

After changing my diet, my blood sugar is now normal, but insulin resistance is still high. Since doctors generally recommend to "just" lose weight (which almost ended in an eating disorder) and don't give much insight into the other possible reasons of me having high insulin resistance, I appreciate the insight you provide.

[adriananis]

Excellent video Dr Kratz. One of the only few channels that actually asks the right questions and looks at root causes.

[anuraghere]

Brilliant is the only word that comes to my mind . I am a lean but belly fat person with hba1c of 11. I was always been a lean person. But chronically stressed and sleep deprived. I vouch for every thing this gentleman had said.

[debmurray]

100% agree with this concept ... i am small person, yet my fat storing threshold is very low. i am not obese but i am highly insulin resistant. Doesnt take many carbs or calories of any type to cause my body to pack on the fat. In other words i have to manage carb intake AND overall calorie intake.

[laylapersia]

This video is the best single resource on this topic I've seen, and will be useful to share with loved ones as a primer on the often quiet path to pre-diabetes via insulin resistance. ❤ Thank you for being one of the very best channels I've ever seen on YouTube! This is a rare glimpse of humanity and the internet at its best! ❤

[littlebitmckee]

I am a recently retired nursing professor. I wish I would have known about you to share with my students. Blessings to you and prayers for your continuing work

[Sparkling-Cyanide]

This was great! The only time I really understand insulin resistance, blood sugar, diabetes, etc. is when you explain it. Then everything makes sense!

[gloriaharbridge]

Prof Ben Bikman is one of the best I have heard. He has done 10 years of studying and teaching Insulin.

[nravishankar]

I am a physician and am this is the best explanation I have heard regarding Insulin resistance. Thank you.

[mariomenezes]

Brilliant explanation! I have heard a lot about insulin resistance, the high level understanding of what causes it and the negative effects on the metabolic system, but did not understand the mechanics of when and how insulin resistance is caused. Was also aware that there are thin people who are insulin resistant and overweight people who are insulin sensitive, but this explanation of the underlying reason was the best I have heard. Thank you!

[lazarus]

Wow... What an amazing video. This is extremely high quality stuff right here. It makes sometimes seemingly contradictory epidemiology very digestible and explainable to the average person.

We need more videos like this across more domains which people often get confused in (mainly due to social media)

[Ronlawhouston]

I am a big believer in the personal fat threshold hypothesis. It is the only thing that explains my situation. I do low carb, so for me, it is not intake. My sugars are great at 165 lbs but not so good at 180. When I see thin diabetics, usually you see a bit of a pooch if abdominal fat.

[Gianmarco]

This is a life changing video. Must watch over and over.

[felicecaccamo]

Fantastic and clear! One of the best resources on YouTube.

[jamescurtis]

Masterclass!!!! Thank you Mario for your detailed explanation, I finally feel that I have a grasp of my condition. I am an ancient Brit but live in Czech Rep. and was diagnosed with T2D about 9 years ago and unfortunately my doctor speaks almost no English so your postings are invaluable to me. Thanks again, superb work and very good luck with the channel.