Medical Background How the HARAPEKO method works
The HARAPEKO method for losing weight works through reversed action of the system that maintains our body weight.
After we eat food, glucose is absorbed from the intestines, and blood sugar levels rise. Glucose, a simple sugar, is the nutrient that can most easily be used by the human body. Brain cells or muscle cells use glucose for fuel.
Once the glucose concentration in the blood rises to a level exceeding the need of the body at that time, the body must store the excess energy. Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, converts glucose into its storable form, glycogen, which is then stored in the liver and muscles. If there is a further supply of nutrients that exceeds the amount that can be stored in the liver or muscles, the excess glucose will be absorbed by fat cells in the form of subcutaneous fat. By storing excess nutrients under the skin in the form of fat, insulin makes blood sugar levels drop. When subcutaneous fat is stored based on the action of insulin, our body weight increases.
A few hours after a meal, the glucose absorbed by the intestines and distributed by the bloodstream starts to be used up by the body cells. The body will then access the glycogen stored in the liver. If there is a continued lack of glucose supply, fat cells will be broken down, and ketone bodies (substances produced when fat cells are broken down) will act as the main fuel that keeps the body going.
Thanks to the ability to use nutrients in storage (fat), our body can continue to function even if we don’t eat for some time. This is when subcutaneous fat decreases, and when we lose weight. The backup plan of the body to use nutrient storage in fat cells when there is a short supply of glucose is truly amazing: thanks to this mechanism, a healthy person can survive more than two weeks relying on just water supply, without eating anything.
However, the human body has a system that ensures that weight loss is avoided whenever possible. This system works toward preventing the breakdown of fat cells as far as possible. The mechanism is really a matter of life and death, and can influence the function of the brain, or trigger emotional instability. This is how it works:
The brain, which usually depends exclusively on glucose as fuel, can exceptionally use ketone bodies as fuel when the glucose concentration in the blood is insufficient. But for this to happen, there must be a high enough concentration of ketone bodies in the blood. However, ketones are only released when fat cells are broken down, and for this to occur, there must be a sufficient drop in blood sugar levels, along with a low insulin concentration in the blood.
I had always wondered why obese people experience hunger as a very unpleasant feeling, while slim people seem not to be bothered in the same way. One day, I stumbled on the book Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy and finally found the answer to my question! The explanation is as follows:
Since obese people overeat, they absorb more nutrients than they use. As a result, the time during which excess glucose circulates in their bloodstream is long, and insulin is continuously present in their bodies. In addition, due to obesity, the body’s sensitivity to insulin is weakened, and a larger amount of insulin than usual is secreted. Because of the presence of insulin in the blood, fat cells can’t be broken down, and ketone bodies can’t be released. When the glucose concentration in the blood further drops, feelings of stinging hunger arise. The brain is affected by the insufficient supply of glucose: there are feelings of starvation, and brain cell activity slows down. The situation further deteriorates as insulin keeps lowering glucose levels in the blood while there is no new supply of glucose or ketones in sight. In some cases, the person will faint. The high insulin content in the blood and the low blood sugar levels are the reason why in an obese person, fat cells can’t be broken down, and brain cells are starving. The very unpleasant feeling of hunger is definitely based on physiological facts.
When we eat something sweet at such a time of stinging hunger, the unpleasant feeling will immediately disappear, and we will feel happy again. The mechanism of our brain tells us “Just eat something that is readily available. If you do, you will feel happy!” This is true, but as soon as we eat, the opportunity to break down fat and to lower weight has been lost. The system of our body to prevent weight loss is really set up in a clever way!
Anybody knows that even if we don’t eat for a whole day, we won’t die. But the feelings of hunger that an obese person experiences are terribly strong! The person really feels like starving. This is because the body revolts against a mechanism that makes it very hard for fat cells to be broken down.
So, is there any hope left for obese people?
Yes, certainly! First, start with the HARAPEKO method and continue for three days. Make sure you wait for a full hour after going hungry before you eat again. If you persist, your body will finally give in, break up fat cells, and release ketone bodies. Your body will gradually recover the ability to use up stored nutrients, and your feelings of hunger will significantly lessen. The time period during which you experience stinging hunger will become shorter, and the degree of unpleasant hunger feelings will decrease. Based on both, the reports of my acquaintances and my own experience, I can say with confidence: only the first three days are hard!