In fact, research is concluding fat is a far superior fuel source than glucose. Like a log to a fire, fat is a long-lasting sustainable form of energy, unlike glucose, which acts like a quick spark but quickly dies out. When you look at it from a biological3 and evolutionary4 perspective, we rely completely on fat in the form of breast milk for energy and development as a baby. A diet that is fat-focused can also enhance brain health5, decrease inflammation, and lower blood sugar. One big question I often get in my functional medicine clinic is whether or not women need more carbs than men due to the fact that women go through more hormonal shifts than men. Interestingly enough, studies have pointed to the opposite being true—women may actually need fewer carbohydrates than men and more fat. Of course, you don’t want estrogen too high, either, since that can lead to its own set of health problems, such as weight gain, mood swings, headaches, insomnia, breast tenderness, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Finding the optimal ratio of macronutrients for you and your body can help you keep your hormone levels in check. Concerned? Talk to your doctor about getting a full blood and salivary female hormone panel with estrogen isomers to figure out your baseline. Additionally, researchers8 found that when estradiol, a form of estrogen that peaks during ovulation, was given to rats, their lipid use during exercise increased drastically. It appears that gender may play a role in fuel source preference, and some women may favor fat over carbohydrates. As of now there are not enough studies to show that women always require more carbs than men do; in fact, they may need more fat. While these factors are important to consider, your ideal macronutrient ratio has less to do with gender than it does with your body’s particular needs. Overall, your age, level of activity, and health conditions play a larger role in what your body requires than your gender. A functional medicine practitioner can work with you to run diagnostic labs and create a plan that provides you with the correct macronutrients to help you reach your particular health goals. Curious about trying a high-fat diet? Learn more about the pros and cons of the ketogenic diet here. A cutting-edge nutrition deep dive taught by 20+ top health & wellness experts
