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Is it Healthy to Eat a Carnivore Diet? – Don’t we need Carbs for Energy?

{"type":"elementor","siteurl":"https://naturopathsolutions.com.au/wp-json/","elements":[{"id":"a4c9397","elType":"widget","isInner":false,"isLocked":false,"settings":{"editor":"🍞 Are Carbs Really Essential? | The Truth About Carbohydrates, Fats, and ProteinsMeta Title: Are Carbs Essential? The Truth About Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins | Naturopath SolutionsMeta Description: Discover why carbohydrates aren’t essential, but healthy fats and proteins are. Learn how carbs, sugar, and insulin affect your metabolism, heart, and overall health.Focus Keywords: carbohydrates, are carbs essential, fats and proteins, insulin resistance, metabolic health, gluconeogenesis, healthy fats, low-carb diet🧬 Rethinking Carbohydrates: Are They Truly Essential?When it comes to nutrition, few topics cause more confusion than carbohydrates. For decades, we’ve been told that carbs are the body’s “preferred source of fuel” — and that we need them to survive.But here’s the truth: carbohydrates are not essential nutrients.Your body can create all the glucose it needs — the simple sugar that fuels your cells — through a natural process called gluconeogenesis, which converts proteins and fats into glucose.In other words, even if you never consumed a single gram of carbohydrate, your body could still make enough energy to function optimally.📸 Image suggestion: Diagram of gluconeogenesis (proteins and fats converting into glucose).Alt-text: “Gluconeogenesis process showing how the body makes glucose from fats and proteins.”🥩 The Nutrients Your Body Can’t Live WithoutWhile the body can produce glucose on its own, it cannot produce certain fats or amino acids — making them essential nutrients that must come from food.✅ Essential Fatty AcidsTwo key types of fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, are crucial for:Reducing inflammationSupporting brain and eye healthRegulating hormones and cell membranes✅ Essential Amino AcidsThere are nine essential amino acids your body cannot synthesise. These building blocks are vital for:Tissue repair and muscle growthEnzyme and hormone productionImmune system and neurotransmitter functionWithout these nutrients, your body’s systems begin to fail — eventually leading to disease, degeneration, and even death.🍭 When Carbs Become HarmfulAlthough the body can handle moderate amounts of carbohydrates, excessive carb and sugar intake has been directly linked to a surge in chronic diseases, including:Type 2 DiabetesCardiovascular DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseNon-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)Certain cancersThese conditions were rare before modern diets became high in refined grains, sugars, and processed foods.When carb intake is excessive, the body faces constant insulin spikes, inflammation, and oxidative stress — all major drivers of metabolic disease.📸 Image suggestion: Graphic showing high sugar intake leading to insulin resistance.Alt-text: “Illustration showing effects of high sugar and carb intake on insulin and metabolic health.”❤️ The Misunderstood Role of CholesterolFor decades, LDL cholesterol has been labeled the “bad” cholesterol — unfairly blamed for heart disease. But modern research shows the real issue isn’t LDL itself; it’s oxidised LDL.Oxidised LDL occurs when LDL particles become damaged by high blood sugar and elevated insulin levels, triggering inflammation within the arteries.This means the root cause isn’t cholesterol — it’s metabolic dysfunction driven by excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates.By lowering carbohydrate and sugar intake, people often see improvements in:LDL oxidationTriglyceride levelsOverall cardiovascular health🔬 In short: Lower the sugar, and your “cholesterol problem” may naturally improve.🧁 The Sugar–Insulin ConnectionSugar, particularly fructose (found in table sugar and processed foods), disrupts the body’s natural energy balance.Excess glucose damages small blood vessels, leading to:Neuropathy (nerve damage)Retinopathy (eye disease)Nephropathy (kidney dysfunction)Meanwhile, chronic high insulin levels — as the body works overtime to clear glucose — promote:Fat storageInflammationHormonal imbalance (including PCOS)Accelerated agingThe key to long-term metabolic health lies in keeping insulin stable through balanced meals rich in protein, healthy fats, and fibre — not in constant carbohydrate intake.🌿 Restoring Balance Through Naturopathic NutritionTrue wellness begins by understanding your unique metabolic needs.Working with a qualified naturopathic practitioner can help identify:Nutrient deficienciesBlood sugar and insulin imbalancesHidden inflammatory triggersA personalised nutrition plan can then restore metabolic balance, reduce inflammation, and support longevity — naturally.By addressing the root causes — excess glucose, insulin resistance, and nutrient deficiencies — you can reclaim your energy, protect your heart, and feel your best every day.📸 Image suggestion: Practitioner consulting a client with nutrition charts and fresh food.Alt-text: “Naturopath assessing metabolic health and diet plan for client.”🩺 Key TakeawayCarbohydrates may not be essential — but nutrient balance is.By focusing on:Whole, unprocessed foodsQuality proteinsHealthy fats (Omega-3, grass-fed animal fats, olive oil)Reducing refined sugars and processed carbs…you can protect your body from metabolic disease, boost energy, and support long-term vitality.Your body doesn’t need carbs to survive — it needs nutrients to thrive.📚 ReferencesVolek, J. S. & Phinney, S. D. The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living. Beyond Obesity LLC, 2011.Naude, C. E. et al. “Low Carbohydrate vs. Balanced Carbohydrate Diets for Reducing Weight and Cardiovascular Risk.” PLOS ONE, 2014.Krauss, R. M. et al. “AHA Dietary Guidelines Revisited: Saturated Fat and Carbohydrate in Cardiovascular Disease.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2010; 91(3):502–509.Ludwig, D. S. et al. “The Carbohydrate-Insulin Model of Obesity.” JAMA Internal Medicine. 2018; 178(8):1098–1103.Yudkin, J. Pure, White, and Deadly: How Sugar Is Killing Us and What We Can Do to Stop It. Penguin Books, 2012.Lustig, R. H. “Fructose: It’s Alcohol Without the Buzz.” Advances in Nutrition. 2013; 4(2):226–235.Astrup, A. et al. “Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020; 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🧬 Rethinking Carbohydrates: Are They Truly Essential?

When it comes to nutrition, few topics cause more confusion than carbohydrates. For decades, we’ve been told that carbs are the body’s “preferred source of fuel” — and that we need them to survive.

But here’s the truth: carbohydrates are not essential nutrients. Your body can create all the glucose it needs — the simple sugar that fuels your cells — through a natural process called gluconeogenesis, which converts proteins and fats into glucose.

In other words, even if you never consumed a single gram of carbohydrate, your body could still make enough energy to function optimally.

🥩 The Nutrients Your Body Can’t Live Without

While your body can produce glucose on its own, it cannot synthesise certain fats or amino acids — making them essential nutrients that must come from food.

✅ Essential Fatty Acids

Two key types of fats — Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids — are vital for:

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Supporting brain and eye health
  • Regulating hormones and maintaining healthy cell membranes

✅ Essential Amino Acids

There are nine essential amino acids your body cannot synthesise. These building blocks are crucial for:

  • Tissue repair and muscle growth
  • Enzyme and hormone production
  • Immune and neurotransmitter function

Without these nutrients, your body’s systems begin to break down — eventually leading to disease, degeneration, and poor health.

🍭 When Carbs Become Harmful

Although jordan 1 mid linen the body can handle moderate carbohydrate intake, excess sugar and refined carbs are directly linked to a surge in chronic diseases, including:

These conditions were rare before the rise of refined grains, processed foods, and sugar-laden diets. High carbohydrate intake triggers constant insulin spikes, inflammation, and oxidative stress — all major drivers of metabolic dysfunction.

Illustration showing effects of high sugar and carb intake on insulin and metabolic health
High sugar intake leads to insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic stress.

❤️ The Misunderstood Role of Cholesterol

For decades, LDL cholesterol has been labeled the “bad cholesterol” — unfairly blamed for heart disease. Modern research reveals the real culprit isn’t LDL itself, but oxidised LDL.

Oxidised LDL forms when LDL particles are damaged by high blood sugar and elevated insulin, triggering inflammation and plaque buildup in the arteries.

This means the root problem isn’t cholesterol — it’s metabolic dysfunction caused by excessive sugar and refined carbohydrate intake.

  • 🔬 Lower carbohydrate intake → reduced LDL oxidation
  • ❤️ Improved triglyceride levels and cardiovascular health
  • 📉 Better insulin sensitivity and energy balance

In short: Lower the sugar, and your “cholesterol problem” may naturally improve.

🧁 The Sugar–Insulin Connection

Fructose, a key component of table sugar and processed foods, disrupts the body’s natural energy regulation. Excess glucose damages blood vessels and tissues, contributing to:

  • Neuropathy (nerve damage)
  • Retinopathy (eye disease)
  • Nephropathy (kidney dysfunction)

Chronic high insulin levels — as the body works overtime to clear excess glucose — promote:

  • Fat storage and weight gain
  • Systemic inflammation
  • Hormonal imbalance (including PCOS)
  • Accelerated aging and oxidative stress

The path to long-term metabolic health lies in stabilising insulin through meals rich in protein, healthy fats, and fibre — not through constant carbohydrate consumption.

🌿 Restoring Balance Through Naturopathic Nutrition

True wellness starts with understanding your unique metabolic needs. Working with a qualified naturopathic practitioner can help identify:

  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Blood sugar and insulin imbalances
  • Hidden inflammatory triggers

With this information, a personalised nutrition plan can restore metabolic balance, reduce inflammation, and support longevity — naturally. By addressing excess glucose, insulin resistance, and nutrient deficiencies, you can reclaim your energy, protect your heart, and feel your best every day.

Naturopath assessing metabolic health and diet plan for client
A naturopath helps tailor nutrition plans for optimal metabolic balance and longevity.

🩺 Key Takeaway

Carbohydrates may not be essential — but nutrient balance is. For optimal metabolic and cardiovascular health, focus on:

  • 🥗 Whole, unprocessed foods
  • 🍳 Quality proteins (grass-fed meats, eggs, fish)
  • 🧈 Healthy fats (Omega-3s, olive oil, coconut oil, animal fats)
  • 🚫 Reducing refined sugars and processed carbs

Your body doesn’t need carbs to survive — it needs nutrients to thrive. By returning to a whole-food, ancestral-based diet, you can prevent metabolic disease, improve energy, and support long-term vitality.

📚 References

  1. Volek, J. S. & Phinney, S. D. The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living. Beyond Obesity LLC, 2011.
  2. Naude, C. E. et al. “Low Carbohydrate vs. Balanced Carbohydrate Diets for Reducing Weight and Cardiovascular Risk.” PLOS ONE, 2014.
  3. Krauss, R. M. et al. “AHA Dietary Guidelines Revisited: Saturated Fat and Carbohydrate in Cardiovascular Disease.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2010; 91(3):502–509.
  4. Ludwig, D. S. et al. “The Carbohydrate–Insulin Model of Obesity.” JAMA Internal Medicine. 2018; 178(8):1098–1103.
  5. Yudkin, J. Pure, White, and Deadly: How Sugar Is Killing Us and What We Can Do to Stop It. Penguin Books, 2012.
  6. Lustig, R. H. “Fructose: It’s Alcohol Without the Buzz.” Advances in Nutrition. 2013; 4(2):226–235.
  7. Astrup, A. et al. “Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020; 76(7):844–857.