Stand Alone Diets: Each One Results In Ripped

 

---

⚡️ 1. High-Carbohydrate Diet (90%+ CHO)

Main Pathway: Glycolysis

• Fuel Source: Glucose
• Storage Form: Glycogen (liver and muscle)
• Hormonal Shift:
  • ↑ Insulin
  • ↓ Glucagon
  • ↓ Cortisol
• Energy Mode: Fast, anaerobic and aerobic
• Metabolic Traits:
  • Low fat oxidation
  • Minimal ketone production
  • Elevated blood glucose turnover
• Hormone Parallel:
  • Low FGF-21 activity (FGF21 suppressed in high glucose states)
  • High insulin sensitivity initially, but risk of insulin resistance long-term if unchecked.

---

🧬 2. High-Protein Diet (Predominantly Protein)

Main Pathway: Gluconeogenesis (GNG)

• Fuel Source: Amino acids → Glucose
• Storage Form: Glucose (via hepatic conversion)
• Hormonal Shift:
  • ↑ Glucagon
  • Moderate ↑ Insulin
  • ↑ Cortisol (if protein intake is extreme or carb-depleted)
• Energy Mode: Slower, protein-derived ATP production
• Metabolic Traits:
  • GNG is slower than glycolysis
  • Not optimal for fast performance
  • Risk of ammonia build-up (urea cycle burden)
• Hormone Parallel:
  • FGF21 moderately elevated, especially in carb-restricted, high-protein settings.
  • Promotes energy expenditure and fat oxidation supportively.

---

🔥 3. High-Fat Diet (Predominantly Fat – Keto/Carnivore)

Main Pathway: Ketosis

• Fuel Source: Fatty acids → Ketone bodies (β-HB, acetoacetate)
• Storage Form: Triglycerides
• Hormonal Shift:
  • ↓ Insulin
  • ↑ Glucagon
  • ↑ FGF21 —> Key ketogenic adaptation hormone
  • ↑ Adiponectin
• Energy Mode: Sustained, clean-burning, mitochondrial-efficient
• Metabolic Traits:
  • Appetite suppression
  • Muscle preservation (especially in presence of ketones)
  • Cognitive stability and endurance
• Hormone Parallel:
  • High FGF21 levels, which promotes fat oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and insulin sensitivity.
  • FGF21 is a hallmark of fasting and ketogenic states, acting like a master switch for adaptive metabolism.

---

⚙️ Summary Comparison Table:

Macronutrient Focus	Metabolic Pathway	Primary Hormone(s)	FGF21 Response	Energy Mode
High-Carb (90% CHO)	Glycolysis	↑ Insulin	↓ FGF21	Fast, glycolytic
High-Protein	Gluconeogenesis (GNG)	↑ Glucagon, Cortisol	↑ FGF21 (mod)	Moderate, stress-adapted
High-Fat (Keto)	Ketosis	↑ FGF21, Glucagon	↑↑ FGF21	Efficient, endurance

---