It’s not just about input versus output.

New research contradicts your previous assumptions about weight gain and how to overcome it. 

I haven’t talked about this one yet-  new research suggests it may be an evolutionary survival mechanism.

In my latest interview with Dr. Rick Johnson, a professor at the University of Colorado and author of Nature Wants Us to Be Fat, he introduced the concept of a biological switch–

The switch that explains obesity is a survival mechanism. This switch not only triggers fat storage in animals as well as humans but is the cause of insulin resistance—strongly linked to dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

You need to know how this switch works and how you can use it to your benefit for improved health.

Let me explain…

The biological switch has been around forever!

The biological switch is a mechanism that allows animals to store fat when food is plentiful, preparing them for periods of food scarcity. This is critical for survival in environments where food supplies fluctuate with the seasons.

How this works in Animals- 

Seasonal changes cause a switch triggering fat storage before hibernation, we see this in bears. During hibernation, they rely on stored fat for energy, which also generates water- allowing them to survive without food or drink for months. The switch also causes insulin resistance, preventing fat from being broken down too quickly, conserving energy until it is needed for survival.

And it is happening in humans too- 

We see this through our human ancestry and evolution. Humans have inherited this biological switch from their ancestors. Early humans needed to store fat during times of abundance to survive during food shortages, much like animals. Today food is abundant year-round.. most likely, you don’t need to store fat to survive and this switch can lead to excessive fat storage, obesity, and related health issues.

There are certain foods that cause this- 

Yes.. Fructose! It’s sugar and it’s found in fruits and processed foods, AND is a major activator of this switch in humans. A diet high in fructose tricks the body into thinking it needs to store more fat, leading to insulin resistance and fat accumulation.

High-sugar diets, particularly those rich in high-glycemic carbs (white bread, rice, and sugary foods) contribute to the activation of the switch.

Insulin resistance is breaking your brain

If you have listened to me at all you know that insulin plays a critical role in brain function… helping those neurons maintain energy levels and communicate efficiently. When the brain becomes insulin-resistant, cognitive processes are impaired, causing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Insulin resistance in the brain leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, reducing the brain’s ability to produce energy (ATP), which is crucial for neuron survival.

Alzheimer’s disease, or Type 3 diabetes relates to insulin resistance in the brain. The same mechanisms that cause insulin resistance in the body—excess fat, poor glucose regulation—also occur in the brain.

Amyloid plaques and tau proteins, signs of Alzheimer’s, start to form when insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction disrupt normal brain function.

Fat accumulation and chronic inflammation is playing a big role

When the biological switch is activated, the body accumulates fat, particularly visceral fat (fat around organs). This fat releases inflammatory cytokines, contributing to chronic low-grade inflammation in the body and brain. Chronic inflammation damages neurons and disrupts brain function, which can accelerate cognitive decline- contributing to the development of dementia.

Oxidative Stress and Reduced Brain Plasticity- 

When there is an imbalance between free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them, we get Oxidative stress. Insulin resistance aggravates oxidative stress, damaging neuronal structures and reducing the brain’s ability to adapt and repair connections- also known as plasticity. Over time, this leads to neurodegeneration… the brain tissue shrinks and cognitive abilities decline; we see this in Alzheimer’s patients.

Fructose, Obesity, and Dementia- what is the relationship?

Fructose is the trigger! It is one of the main dietary triggers of the biological switch. It lowers energy levels (ATP) in cells, signaling the body to store more fat. This process not only leads to obesity but also promotes insulin resistance in the brain.

Glucose, on the other hand, raises energy levels, but when consumed in excess, it gets converted into fructose in the brain, further exacerbating the problem.

Obesity and Dementia- 

Abdominal obesity…strongly correlated with an increased risk of dementia later in life. Obesity, driven by the biological switch and excessive fructose consumption, impairs brain function and insulin signaling.

Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation sets the stage for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

The Vicious Cycle-  Once the biological switch is activated, it creates a vicious cycle where insulin resistance leads to more fat accumulation, which in turn increases insulin resistance. This cycle will cause your obesity to continue on and raise the risk of dementia.

Don’t let the effects of the biological switch effect you

LOWER your consumption of fructose and high-glycemic carbs if you want deactivate the biological switch. The result of this discipline? You will significantly reduce your risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and dementia.

Low-carb/keto diet will help reduce fructose production in the body, and mitigate the effects of the switch.

EXERCISE! Regular physical activity helps counteract the effects of the biological switch.

By addressing insulin resistance early you have a better chance at preventing both obesity and dementia. You can stop the progression of cognitive decline before it’s too late.

Watch the full interview here: CLICK HERE!