URL: http://www.jbc.org/content/83/3/747.full.pdf
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Publication Date: 06/1929
Summary: This publication reviews the effects on the carbohydrate tolerance of two men after consuming a diet of only meat for 1 year. Dr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson spent over 11 years in arctic exploration, during 9 years of which he lived almost exclusively on meat. Stimulated by this experience, Stefansson and Andersen, the latter a member of one of the expeditions, voluntarily agreed to eat nothing but meat for 1 year while they continued their usual activities in the temperate climate of New York.
Key Takeaways
After consuming an all meat diet for a long period of time, the body becomes unable to metabolize carbohydrates properly until they are reincorporated in the diet for a period of time. After two weeks of a general diet with carbohydrates, there will be no abnormalities in carbohydrate metabolism. This is physiologic insulin resistance, and insulin sensitivity will recover with the addition of carbohydrates to the diet.
