overeating carbs causes insulin resistance
FWIW, what I've learned and lived leads me to believe that liver health and over-intake of omega-6 fat play a BIG part in insulin resistance. Probably the biggest part, although I'm in no position to prove that. But I'm no longer convinced at all that the "demon carbs" are the main culprit. Instead, I think it's *added* omega-6 fat (in the form of oils used for cooking or garnishing) that are the problem. In part because they seem to have a very deleterious effect on the liver...although over-consumption of any fat is obviously not good for the liver, either. But omega-6 in particular. I also suspect that since grains contain omega-6 that may be why over-consumption of them seems to lead to insulin resistance. Plus, if you eat any processed food at all the food manufacturers sneak omega-6 oil into *everything*.
However, my experience has been that eating a reasonable amount of complex carbs and unprocessed, unfortified grains as part of the diet without any added omega-6 oils does not pose a problem with regards to insulin resistance. I'd bet this is true for most people who don't react to grains/gluten unless their liver is already somewhat screwed. I say this as someone who is still battling some insulin resistance (although my sugars are pretty much normal except for first thing in the morning) and whose poor old liver has been put through the wringer. I'm hopeful, though, that after a couple more years of good clean livin' that my liver will be nicely rejuvenated and my insulin resistance will disappear completely. We'll see, I guess. Blood sugars certainly not getting any worse overall from eating a reasonable amount of potatoes, rice, whole oats, whole grain bread, honey, dates, sweet fruits, etc. What I'm NOT eating is any omega-6 except what comes naturally in the food.
Also, if you're eating grains it's a good idea to supplement some fish oil or eat fatty fish a few times per week. Omega-6 needs omega-3 for proper lipid balance. Something about beneficial eicosanoid formation, prostaglandins, and lipid oxidation, but I don't remember it all right now. *sigh*
BTW, if anyone's interested, Free The Animal has had a good series recently on the problems that processed fortified grains cause. I'm not entirely persuaded that they're the root of all our problems (I still think over-consumption of even unfortified grains can lead to over-consumption of omega-6 which is likely the biggest problem) but there's a lot of good info there and it is a very interesting hypothesis.
Very low carb grain free paleo destroyed my health. It took me a long time to figure out what was happening.
Yup, me too. My health went downhill quite precipitously after my first flirtation with Atkins. With all the great things we used to read about low carb I couldn't figure out why my health was deteriorating instead of improving.
I sometimes wonder if the health of Western civilizations will ever recover from the butt-flaming nutritional stupidity we went through during the '70's, '80's, and '90's.