Why prioritize protein > fat> carbs?
Replies
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Taking a different tact, Fat and Protein are more deliberate calories, IE much harder to eat mindlessly. You generally have to cook or at least heat up food made primarily with these nutrients, and that makes you think more about what you are doing.
It's so easy to fill up on carbs as they are very calorie dense, delicious, and shelf-stable (IE bread, crackers, chips). They are sitting right there, begging to be eaten when you are feeling peckish with little to no prep required. Picture yourself with in your kitchen and wanting to snack, what's the absolute easiest things to reach for? How much more likely are you to consider cooking up some chicken and veggies vs. grabbing a bagel or a double handful of chips?
What about nuts?
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Also, fats are essential for metabolizing some nutrients and they do not impact blood glucose. As a Type 2 diabetic I'd rather have fat than carbs to keep my blood glucose levels steady.
Carbs are not essential to your body. They provide energy, but protein can also be metabolized for energy.
IN for depriving your brain of glucose
On a LCHF or even no carb diet (although I am not advocating one) the brain only requires about 30g of glucose as opposed to the 120g on a medium to high carb diet, as it fuels mostly from ketones.
just because the brain *can* do this, it doesn't mean it's what's best for optimal brain function. People are not always very good at judging whether their brain is functioning well or not. It's kind of like when someone's drunk and think they're sober and fine to drive home... if their friends are complete arseholes and actually let them drive home, their chances of causing an accident are much greater than usual (as should be totally obvious) - yet they may feel that they're fine to drive, because they haven't notice that their reaction times are slower and they're a bit less co-ordinated than usual.
While the effect of lack of glucose on the brain due to a low carb diet isn't as pronounced as this (but in insulin dependent diabetes, the person can appear completely drunk and actually go into a coma due to the brain being completely deprived of glucose) it's still likely to have a greater effect on cognitive functioning than the owner of the brain will realise. Additionally, if you add in observer bias (because they believe that a very low carb diet is good for them) then the result is someone who insists that they function *just fine* on a very low carb diet, and they truly believe that they do...... but are likely to be not noticing that actually they're not functioning as well as they do when eating more carbohydrates.
I have yet to see any study which proves it is not optimal or less optimal than being fuel mainly by glucose. If you know of any I would be very interested to read them.
look up "hitting the wall" in any first year university physiology textbook... basically hitting the wall (sudden feeling of exhaustion while running or doing other long duration cardio) is caused by your body running out of carbohydrate... the blood is depleted of glucose, and the glycogen stores are empty.... suddenly the body doesn't function so well, *because you've run out of glucose*....... yep your body burning fat will keep you *alive* but you won't function *optimally* on it... your performance in sport will be way below optimal, also your performance in exams and cognitive tests will be too (yes there are lots of studies showing that kind of thing, again look in university textbooks for references to the actual studies.
also look up the effects of low blood sugar in a medical textbook - lots of the effects are how it affects the brain. Because the brain too has glucose as fuel.... look up "diabetic coma" too, because that's the effect on brain cells of getting no glucose at all (although in the case of diabetes, the glucose is in the blood, the cells can't use it... but it is same as the effect that having no glucose at all would have on your brain)
I'd be willing to wager those studies include people who are not following a low carb diet but simply happen to be low on carb on any given day, and to the extent you don't have sufficient amounts of either glucose or ketones in your body I'm not surprised that this would have a negative effect. On the other hand, I'm skeptical you'd see much of a difference on a brain fueled by ketones and some glucose vs. glucose alone. If there's literature studying ketogenic diets to that effect, I'd love to see it.0 -
protein is the building blocks your body uses to make new cells. That's why it's the most important.
fat is also used to build new cells, in particular cell membranes, so it's important, but not as much as protein.
carbohydrate just gives you energy. The above two can give you energy too - a small amount of fat gives you a lot of energy - but all carbohydrate does is give you energy... as your body needs the protein and fat for growth and repair (i.e. growing new cells to replace the ones that wear out) you need to be sure you're getting enough of those first, then the amount of carbohydrate you need depends on your activity levels.... it's the most readily available form of energy for your body, so the best one for fuelling physical activity. But as it's *only* giving you energy, that's why it's less important than the other two.
ETA: this doesn't mean you can just cut all carbs out of your diet and not have any bad effects from it.... there's a difference between bare survival and optimal health. Carbs are necessary to fuel your daily activities, your body can't burn fat fast enough for high levels of activity. When you work out or do any fairly vigorous physical activity, you burn both fat and carbs to fuel it, and your body balances the two. Fat alone can't sustain that level of workout, so if you have no carbs in your system, the quality of your workout will suffer and the total amount of calories you'll burn will be quite a lot less... with carbs in your system you burn more energy (calories) overall and get a much better workout. Also your brain functions better with carbs in your system.
This is a very good explanation. Like. 0 -
Oh lawd.
Let me break it down (stop, hammer time...)
Protein: essential from diet for survival as without it you cannot produce 8 (IIRC) amino acids so you will die
Fat: largely essential from diet for survival as without it you cannot produce 2 (IIRC) fatty acids so you will die
Carbs: not essential from diet for survival as without it the body can produce the necessary nutrients from its own resources so you won't die...just you'll probably want to...0 -
Protein and fat are essential macro-nutrients...carbohydrates, not so much...though they are delicious and provide awesome energy...and as msf74 points out, you aren't going to die not eating carbohydrates, but you will likely want to.0
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Also, fats are essential for metabolizing some nutrients and they do not impact blood glucose. As a Type 2 diabetic I'd rather have fat than carbs to keep my blood glucose levels steady.
Carbs are not essential to your body. They provide energy, but protein can also be metabolized for energy.
IN for depriving your brain of glucose
On a LCHF or even no carb diet (although I am not advocating one) the brain only requires about 30g of glucose as opposed to the 120g on a medium to high carb diet, as it fuels mostly from ketones.
You just said LC. Low. Meaning NOT zero.
Dont take 1g of carbs for a week and run a 5k a day, then check back in here and let us know how that works out for ya.
Saying you dont need carbs is like saying you dont need vitamin C. Have fun getting scurvy.
Which bit of carbs are optimal are you not understanding.
I am not advocating no carbs, I am just explaining why they are an optimal macro nutrient as opposed to an essential macro nutrient.
And actually on your analogy of running 5k a day on no carbs is very possible. Now throw in some anaerobic exercise and you may have some issues, but on low level aerobic exercise carbs are not needed.
The body has a knack for tapping into the abundance of non dietary energy we all carry with us.
I regularly on a Sunday morning can do a 9 mile hike or sometimes a bike ride in a fasted state (a mug of coffee doesn't have carbs does it?).
Because a 9 mile hike in a fasted state is the same as not eating 1g of carbs for a week and running a 5k a day every day.
I have fasted for 15 minutes and my brain is working great . Thanks for saving me.
My point is you produce about 150g of glucose a day - spend the day doing low level activity or even aerobic exercise (less than 75% energy output), it is unlikely you will use those 150g as you will be fuelling you body through converted fatty acids.
Increase your energy levels and your body will start to deplete your muscles glycogen stores.
I used my hiking analogy because regardless if I have been taking in no carbs for a month or just 14 hours, I am not using dietary carbs to fuel my walk.
It's simple biology, carbs are not essential, we produce our own glucose (without any help from dietary carbs), but they are optimal, which is why I eat them.
You seem to be looking to argue the point for the sake of it.
You would know Mr Green Bananas and Boiled Potatoes
Ill say it one last time. If carbs are NOT essential. Dont eat any ever again. Put your money where your mouth is.0 -
Also, fats are essential for metabolizing some nutrients and they do not impact blood glucose. As a Type 2 diabetic I'd rather have fat than carbs to keep my blood glucose levels steady.
Carbs are not essential to your body. They provide energy, but protein can also be metabolized for energy.
IN for depriving your brain of glucose
On a LCHF or even no carb diet (although I am not advocating one) the brain only requires about 30g of glucose as opposed to the 120g on a medium to high carb diet, as it fuels mostly from ketones.
You just said LC. Low. Meaning NOT zero.
Dont take 1g of carbs for a week and run a 5k a day, then check back in here and let us know how that works out for ya.
Saying you dont need carbs is like saying you dont need vitamin C. Have fun getting scurvy.
Which bit of carbs are optimal are you not understanding.
I am not advocating no carbs, I am just explaining why they are an optimal macro nutrient as opposed to an essential macro nutrient.
And actually on your analogy of running 5k a day on no carbs is very possible. Now throw in some anaerobic exercise and you may have some issues, but on low level aerobic exercise carbs are not needed.
The body has a knack for tapping into the abundance of non dietary energy we all carry with us.
I regularly on a Sunday morning can do a 9 mile hike or sometimes a bike ride in a fasted state (a mug of coffee doesn't have carbs does it?).
Because a 9 mile hike in a fasted state is the same as not eating 1g of carbs for a week and running a 5k a day every day.
I have fasted for 15 minutes and my brain is working great . Thanks for saving me.
My point is you produce about 150g of glucose a day - spend the day doing low level activity or even aerobic exercise (less than 75% energy output), it is unlikely you will use those 150g as you will be fuelling you body through converted fatty acids.
Increase your energy levels and your body will start to deplete your muscles glycogen stores.
I used my hiking analogy because regardless if I have been taking in no carbs for a month or just 14 hours, I am not using dietary carbs to fuel my walk.
It's simple biology, carbs are not essential, we produce our own glucose (without any help from dietary carbs), but they are optimal, which is why I eat them.
You seem to be looking to argue the point for the sake of it.
You would know Mr Green Bananas and Boiled Potatoes
Ill say it one last time. If carbs are NOT essential. Dont eat any ever again. Put your money where your mouth is.
I will eat them thank you because they ARE optimal for me and my life style.
But one thing they are NOT is essential.0 -
Also, fats are essential for metabolizing some nutrients and they do not impact blood glucose. As a Type 2 diabetic I'd rather have fat than carbs to keep my blood glucose levels steady.
Carbs are not essential to your body. They provide energy, but protein can also be metabolized for energy.
IN for depriving your brain of glucose
On a LCHF or even no carb diet (although I am not advocating one) the brain only requires about 30g of glucose as opposed to the 120g on a medium to high carb diet, as it fuels mostly from ketones.
You just said LC. Low. Meaning NOT zero.
Dont take 1g of carbs for a week and run a 5k a day, then check back in here and let us know how that works out for ya.
Saying you dont need carbs is like saying you dont need vitamin C. Have fun getting scurvy.
Which bit of carbs are optimal are you not understanding.
I am not advocating no carbs, I am just explaining why they are an optimal macro nutrient as opposed to an essential macro nutrient.
And actually on your analogy of running 5k a day on no carbs is very possible. Now throw in some anaerobic exercise and you may have some issues, but on low level aerobic exercise carbs are not needed.
The body has a knack for tapping into the abundance of non dietary energy we all carry with us.
I regularly on a Sunday morning can do a 9 mile hike or sometimes a bike ride in a fasted state (a mug of coffee doesn't have carbs does it?).
Because a 9 mile hike in a fasted state is the same as not eating 1g of carbs for a week and running a 5k a day every day.
I have fasted for 15 minutes and my brain is working great . Thanks for saving me.
My point is you produce about 150g of glucose a day - spend the day doing low level activity or even aerobic exercise (less than 75% energy output), it is unlikely you will use those 150g as you will be fuelling you body through converted fatty acids.
Increase your energy levels and your body will start to deplete your muscles glycogen stores.
I used my hiking analogy because regardless if I have been taking in no carbs for a month or just 14 hours, I am not using dietary carbs to fuel my walk.
It's simple biology, carbs are not essential, we produce our own glucose (without any help from dietary carbs), but they are optimal, which is why I eat them.
You seem to be looking to argue the point for the sake of it.
You would know Mr Green Bananas and Boiled Potatoes
Ill say it one last time. If carbs are NOT essential. Dont eat any ever again. Put your money where your mouth is.
I will eat them thank you because they ARE optimal for me and my life style.
But one thing they are NOT is essential.
^ This and belowProtein: essential from diet for survival as without it you cannot produce 8 (IIRC) amino acids so you will die
Fat: largely essential from diet for survival as without it you cannot produce 2 (IIRC) fatty acids so you will die
Carbs: not essential from diet for survival as without it the body can produce the necessary nutrients from its own resources so you won't die...just you'll probably want to...0 -
Well I guess this thread didn't go how the OP expected.
I was just thinking this...0 -
Also, fats are essential for metabolizing some nutrients and they do not impact blood glucose. As a Type 2 diabetic I'd rather have fat than carbs to keep my blood glucose levels steady.
Carbs are not essential to your body. They provide energy, but protein can also be metabolized for energy.
IN for depriving your brain of glucose
On a LCHF or even no carb diet (although I am not advocating one) the brain only requires about 30g of glucose as opposed to the 120g on a medium to high carb diet, as it fuels mostly from ketones.
You just said LC. Low. Meaning NOT zero.
Dont take 1g of carbs for a week and run a 5k a day, then check back in here and let us know how that works out for ya.
Saying you dont need carbs is like saying you dont need vitamin C. Have fun getting scurvy.
you actually don't need carbs... or need very few... they are not an essential macronutrient.
i'm a big fan of carbs and despise the foolish "carbs are teh debil" nonsense pushed by the sugar haters, but you can survive for quite a long time without carbs because your body can compensate for the lack of carbs in your diet via gluconeogenesis.
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.full
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_nutrient
all that said, i would never go low carb. i like the "ready" energy from carbs and i like not having a sluggish mind.0 -
Simplest and most direct answer.Because protein and fat are essential macro nutrients and carbs are an optimal macro nutrient.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Also, fats are essential for metabolizing some nutrients and they do not impact blood glucose. As a Type 2 diabetic I'd rather have fat than carbs to keep my blood glucose levels steady.
Carbs are not essential to your body. They provide energy, but protein can also be metabolized for energy.
IN for depriving your brain of glucose
On a LCHF or even no carb diet (although I am not advocating one) the brain only requires about 30g of glucose as opposed to the 120g on a medium to high carb diet, as it fuels mostly from ketones.
You just said LC. Low. Meaning NOT zero.
Dont take 1g of carbs for a week and run a 5k a day, then check back in here and let us know how that works out for ya.
Saying you dont need carbs is like saying you dont need vitamin C. Have fun getting scurvy.
you actually don't need carbs... or need very few... they are not an essential macronutrient.
i'm a big fan of carbs and despise the foolish "carbs are teh debil" nonsense pushed by the sugar haters, but you can survive for quite a long time without carbs because your body can compensate for the lack of carbs in your diet via gluconeogenesis.
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.full
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_nutrient
all that said, i would never go low carb. i like the "ready" energy from carbs and i like not having a sluggish mind.
Too bad the study was only for 1.5 days. Your body can go without water for 72 hours.
Very well. Maybe its just a semantic thing? I understand the concept of gluconeogenesis and how it works. When essential is defined as "a nutrient required for normal human body function that either cannot be synthesized by the body at all" then of course by the definition its not essential.
Vitamin D is also listed on the Wiki. The body makes that. So thats conufsing.
But I disagree that believing you can run around on zero carbs and have no adverse reactions or debilitating effects toward your energy levels, strength, or focus of mind isnt a responsible way to live healthwise; but you will remain alive nonetheless. So I guess if your goal is to sit in bed all day and watch The View, Dr Phil and Dr Oz then yeah you are all set. No carbs needed.0 -
But I disagree that believing you can run around on zero carbs and have no adverse reactions or debilitating effects toward your energy levels, strength, or focus of mind isnt a responsible way to live healthwise; but you will remain alive nonetheless. So I guess if your goal is to sit in bed all day and watch The View, Dr Phil and Dr Oz then yeah you are all set. No carbs needed.]
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Straw_man
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum0 -
But I disagree that believing you can run around on zero carbs and have no adverse reactions or debilitating effects toward your energy levels, strength, or focus of mind isnt a responsible way to live healthwise; but you will remain alive nonetheless. So I guess if your goal is to sit in bed all day and watch The View, Dr Phil and Dr Oz then yeah you are all set. No carbs needed.]
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Straw_man
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum
Really?
Ill put it out there again. If its good for you, then DO IT.
I promise to come visit you in the hospital. :flowerforyou:0 -
But I disagree that believing you can run around on zero carbs and have no adverse reactions or debilitating effects toward your energy levels, strength, or focus of mind isnt a responsible way to live healthwise; but you will remain alive nonetheless. So I guess if your goal is to sit in bed all day and watch The View, Dr Phil and Dr Oz then yeah you are all set. No carbs needed.]
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Straw_man
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum
Well played sir.0 -
But I disagree that believing you can run around on zero carbs and have no adverse reactions or debilitating effects toward your energy levels, strength, or focus of mind isnt a responsible way to live healthwise; but you will remain alive nonetheless. So I guess if your goal is to sit in bed all day and watch The View, Dr Phil and Dr Oz then yeah you are all set. No carbs needed.]
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Straw_man
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum
Really?
Ill put it out there again. If its good for you, then DO IT.
I promise to come visit you in the hospital. :flowerforyou:
the point is that you made an incorrect statement (i.e. carbs are an essential nutrient) and were corrected for it. instead of just leaving it at that, you keep making these ridiculous assertions and intentional misrepresentations to belittle those corrections.
that makes you look childish.0 -
Low carb for me...to be read later!0
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Role of Carbohydrates
The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and biologic work.
Foods containing carbohydrate are in the grains, fruit, and milk groups. Vegetables have a small amount of carbohydrate.
After carbohydrate is eaten, it is broken down into smaller units of sugar (including glucose, fructose and galactose) in the stomach and small intestine. These small units of sugar are absorbed in the small intestine and then enter the bloodstream where they travel to the liver. Fructose and galactose are converted to glucose by the liver. Glucose is the carbohydrate transported by the bloodstream to the various tissues and organs, including the muscles and the brain, where it will be used as energy.
If the body does not need glucose for energy, it stores glucose in the liver and the skeletal muscles in a form called glycogen. If glycogen stores are full, glucose is stored as fat. Glycogen stores are used as an energy source when the body needs more glucose than is readily available in the bloodstream (for example, during exercise). The body has limited storage capacity for glycogen (about 2000 calories), which is why carbohydrate is commonly referred to as the limiting fuel in physical performance.
Carbohydrate spares the use of protein as an energy source. When carbohydrate consumption is inadequate, protein is broken down to make glucose to maintain a constant blood glucose level. However, when proteins are broken down they lose their primary role as building blocks for muscles. In addition, protein breakdown may result in an increased stress on the kidneys, where protein byproducts are excreted into the urine.
Finally, glucose is essential for the central nervous system. The brain primarily uses glucose as its energy source, and a lack of glucose can result in weakness, dizziness, and low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Reduced blood glucose during exercise decreases performance and could lead to mental as well as physical fatigue.
Carbohydrates in the Body
All living cells contain glucose. For glucose to enter the cells it needs help from a hormone called insulin. Insulin acts as gatekeeper and is released once carbohydrate is ingested. It signals the cells to absorb the glucose. The glucose is then used for energy, stored in the liver and the muscles as glycogen, or stored as fat.
Glycogen stores are essential for athletic performance, because they serve as an energy reservoir when blood glucose levels are decreased due to high intensity exercise or inadequate carbohydrate intake. Glycogen stores become depleted as the intensity and duration of the exercise increases. It is imperative for the athlete, whether a sprinter or endurance athlete, to restore glycogen by consuming carbohydrate on a regular basis.
A well-nourished adult can store approximately 500 grams or 2000 kcal of carbohydrates. Of this, approximately 400 grams are stored as muscle glycogen, 90-110 grams as liver glycogen, and 25 grams circulate in the blood as glucose. When the body needs more glucose than is available in bloodstream to support energy demands, glycogen stores are used to raise blood glucose levels. However, it is important to note that the glycogen stored in muscle is used directly by that muscle during exercise, it cannot borrow glycogen from other resting muscles.
Glycogen stores are a readily available source of energy to support the demands of physical activity and exercise. How quickly glycogen stores might be depleted depends on the duration and intensity of the exercise. For low intensity exercise (distance running etc.) glycogen stores can last as long as 90 minutes. For prolonged high intensity exercise, glycogen stores can provide energy for approximately 20 minutes.
References
Costill, D.L., Miller, J.M. Nutrition for endurance sport: Carbohydrate and fluid balance. Int. J. Sports. Med. 1980;1:2-14.
Coyle, E.F., and Coyle, E.L Carbohydrates that speed recovery from training. Phys. Sportsmed., 1993;21:111.
Esbjornsson-Liljedahl, M. Sundberg, C.J., Norman , B., and Jansson, E. Metabolic response in type I and type II muscle fibers during a 30-s cycle sprint in men and women. J Appl Physiol 1999;87:1326-1332.
Felig, P. and Wahren, J.: Fuel homeostasis in exercise. N Engl. J Med. 1995;293:1078.
Gaitanos, G.C., Williams, C., Boobis, L.H., and Brooks, S. Human muscle metabolism during intermittent maximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 1993;75:712-719.
GSSI. Are you eating enough carbohydrate? Sport Science Exchange 2000;13(4)
Guezennec, C. Oxidation rates, complex carbohydrates and exercise. Sports Med 1995;19:365-372.
Hargreaves, M., Finn, J.P., Withers, R.T., Halbert, J.A., Scroop, G.C., Mackay, M., Snow, R.J., Carey, M.F. Effect on muscle glycogen availability on maximal exercise performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 1997;75:188-192.
Koeslag, J.H. Post-exercise ketosis and the hormone response to exercise: a review. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982;4:327.
MacDougall, D.S. Ray, N., McCartnery, D., Sale , P., Lee, and S. Gamer. Substrate utilization during weightlifting. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1988;20:S66.
McArdle, WD., Katch FI, Katch VL. Sports and Exercise Nutrition. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. 1999 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA.
Rankin Walberg, J. Glycemic index and exercise metabolism. Sports Science Exchange 1997;10 (1)
Robergs, RA., Perason, D.R., Costill, D.L., Fink, W.J., Pascoe, D.D. Benedict, M.A., Lambert, C.P., and Zachweija, J.J. Muscle glycogenolysis during differing intensities of weight-resistance exercise. J Appl Physiol 1991;70:1700-1706.
Sumida, K.D., and Donovan, C.m. Enhanced hepatic gluconeogenic capacity for selected precursors after endurance training. J Appl Physiol. 1995;79:1883.
Tesch, P.A., Ploutz-Snyder, L.L., Ystrom, L., Castro, M.J., and Dudley , G.A. Skeletal muscle glycogen loss evoked by resistance exercise. J strength Cond Res 1998;12:67-73.
*just a basic intro to sports nutrition for athletes.0 -
But I disagree that believing you can run around on zero carbs and have no adverse reactions or debilitating effects toward your energy levels, strength, or focus of mind isnt a responsible way to live healthwise; but you will remain alive nonetheless. So I guess if your goal is to sit in bed all day and watch The View, Dr Phil and Dr Oz then yeah you are all set. No carbs needed.]
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Straw_man
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum
Really?
Ill put it out there again. If its good for you, then DO IT.
I promise to come visit you in the hospital. :flowerforyou:
the point is that you made an incorrect statement (i.e. carbs are an essential nutrient) and were corrected for it. instead of just leaving it at that, you keep making these ridiculous assertions and intentional misrepresentations to belittle those corrections.
that makes you look childish.
Is that you you felt? Belittled? After I acquiesced to your post I was just communicating my feelings. I am sorry.0 -
Personal priorities:
convenience > money > taste > nutrition.
Fat isn't really a problem, it's tasty, cheap and easily available without requiring a lot of preparation. Protein is a pain in the *kitten*. I do try to get >80g every day though.0 -
I very well could be wrong, but I was told to think of it like this:
Your body is a fire. That fire needs things to burn, so it can do what it needs to do.
Fat and protein are like logs, they burn slowly and even after they've burnt, they give off a little heat.
Carbs are like newspaper, it burns quickly and once it's gone- it's gone.
So, in a nutritional point of view, good fat and protein are going to fill you up, and keep you feeling full. This means you're less likely to overeat because you aren't feeling hunger. Carbs burn quickly, so the satisfied feeling goes away, making you feel hungry later.0 -
Fat and protein are required for hormone production and regulation and cell repair and maintenance. Carbs are necessary for optimum brain function, as dietary carbs help regulate serotonin and dopamine production.
Also, when your body is converting all the protein and fat you eat into glucose that it needs to function, you no longer have the protein and fat available for what they are needed for.
For survival? Carbs are nonessential. For optimal health? Carbs are essential.0 -
Fat and protein are required for hormone production and regulation and cell repair and maintenance. Carbs are necessary for optimum brain function, as dietary carbs help regulate serotonin and dopamine production.
Also, when your body is converting all the protein and fat you eat into glucose that it needs to function, you no longer have the protein and fat available for what they are needed for.
For survival? Carbs are nonessential. For optimal health? Carbs are essential.
When the body has a plentiful supply of carbs the brain will draw upon them (approx. 130g per day), but I have not seen any study to prove that the brain running on a mixture of Ketone, lactate and glucose (with ketone as the majority fuel) is any less optimal than glucose as the majority fuel.
If you have a study I would be genuinely interested in reading it!
Your body can only uptake so much protein and fat for structural maintenance. If you are eating adequate calories, I should think it unlikely you would be depriving your body of anything. But again this is hypothetical as most if not all will be eating carbs to some level.
Also by your analogy of carbs being essential - for optimal health. With this I agree, just as I would agree that bacon is an essential food group - for the ingredients to a bacon sandwich. 0 -
Fat and protein are required for hormone production and regulation and cell repair and maintenance. Carbs are necessary for optimum brain function, as dietary carbs help regulate serotonin and dopamine production.
Also, when your body is converting all the protein and fat you eat into glucose that it needs to function, you no longer have the protein and fat available for what they are needed for.
For survival? Carbs are nonessential. For optimal health? Carbs are essential.
When the body has a plentiful supply of carbs the brain will draw upon them (approx. 130g per day), but I have not seen any study to prove that the brain running on a mixture of Ketone, lactate and glucose (with ketone as the majority fuel) is any less optimal than glucose as the majority fuel.
If you have a study I would be genuinely interested in reading it!
Your body can only uptake so much protein and fat for structural maintenance. If you are eating adequate calories, I should think it unlikely you would be depriving your body of anything. But again this is hypothetical as most if not all will be eating carbs to some level.
Also by your analogy of carbs being essential - for optimal health. With this I agree, just as I would agree that bacon is an essential food group - for the ingredients to a bacon sandwich.
I'm a bit confused, as usual, by your post here. I remember once when you confessed to having "fuzzy brain" when you first went low-carb. You said not to worry--it goes away. Now I remember thinking at the time "it does?". Are you sure? 0 -
This mint chip ice cream is quite necessary post work out. It goes well with this thread too.0
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Fat and protein are required for hormone production and regulation and cell repair and maintenance. Carbs are necessary for optimum brain function, as dietary carbs help regulate serotonin and dopamine production.
Also, when your body is converting all the protein and fat you eat into glucose that it needs to function, you no longer have the protein and fat available for what they are needed for.
For survival? Carbs are nonessential. For optimal health? Carbs are essential.
When the body has a plentiful supply of carbs the brain will draw upon them (approx. 130g per day), but I have not seen any study to prove that the brain running on a mixture of Ketone, lactate and glucose (with ketone as the majority fuel) is any less optimal than glucose as the majority fuel.
If you have a study I would be genuinely interested in reading it!
Your body can only uptake so much protein and fat for structural maintenance. If you are eating adequate calories, I should think it unlikely you would be depriving your body of anything. But again this is hypothetical as most if not all will be eating carbs to some level.
Also by your analogy of carbs being essential - for optimal health. With this I agree, just as I would agree that bacon is an essential food group - for the ingredients to a bacon sandwich.
I'm a bit confused, as usual, by your post here. I remember once when you confessed to having "fuzzy brain" when you first went low-carb. You said not to worry--it goes away. Now I remember thinking at the time "it does?". Are you sure?
I'm sure.0 -
Protein is used for muscles but can't be turned into energy quickly so that's a static number. Fat moves somewhat to allow for making protein easier to work in but can't be turned into energy quickly either. Carbs are your quick energy calories and this is why your carb percentage will change with the overall calorie budget.0
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Fat and protein are required for hormone production and regulation and cell repair and maintenance. Carbs are necessary for optimum brain function, as dietary carbs help regulate serotonin and dopamine production.
Also, when your body is converting all the protein and fat you eat into glucose that it needs to function, you no longer have the protein and fat available for what they are needed for.
For survival? Carbs are nonessential. For optimal health? Carbs are essential.
When the body has a plentiful supply of carbs the brain will draw upon them (approx. 130g per day), but I have not seen any study to prove that the brain running on a mixture of Ketone, lactate and glucose (with ketone as the majority fuel) is any less optimal than glucose as the majority fuel.
If you have a study I would be genuinely interested in reading it!
Your body can only uptake so much protein and fat for structural maintenance. If you are eating adequate calories, I should think it unlikely you would be depriving your body of anything. But again this is hypothetical as most if not all will be eating carbs to some level.
Also by your analogy of carbs being essential - for optimal health. With this I agree, just as I would agree that bacon is an essential food group - for the ingredients to a bacon sandwich.
I'm a bit confused, as usual, by your post here. I remember once when you confessed to having "fuzzy brain" when you first went low-carb. You said not to worry--it goes away. Now I remember thinking at the time "it does?". Are you sure?
I'm sure.
Convince me. 0
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