High Protein, Low Carb Diets Don’t Burn More Fat

High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets don’t increase our ability to burn fat. No diet or food can help us burn more fat, whether or not we exercise.

Carbohydrate, not fat, is the main fuel for exercise at or above 70% of aerobic capacity, the intensity at which most people train and compete.

Fat only becomes available for fuel after about 20 minutes of exercise, and most people don’t work out long enough to directly burn significant amounts of fat during a workout.

Exercise Helps Fat-Burning

Regular exercise may create a calorie deficit that promotes gradual fat loss over the long haul. But it’s main weight control benefits are indirect. Exercise helps maintain our metabolic efficiency which is the rate at which we burn calories.

Aerobic exercise is also believed to raise the level of several hormones that promote greater fat use.

Exercise is Best for Fat-Burning

So, the best way to improve your body’s fat-burning capability is to get active and take regular exercise. For best weight control benefits, aim to be fit enough to sustain 60 minutes of exercise most days.