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Giving up Carbs for Lent

13

Replies

  • Posts: 3,161 Member
    You are taking an essential nutrient away from yourself and it's dangerous. These stupid diets have people thinking carbs are bad for you.

    Nope, nothing essential about carbs.

    The theoretical minimal level of carbohydrate (CHO) intake is zero, but CHO is a universal fuel for all cells, the cheapest source of dietary energy, and also the source of plant fiber.

    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.full
  • Posts: 3,161 Member

    Scientific proof please.

    And I don't mean Paleo Propaganda either. I mean real science.
    The currently established human essential nutrients are water, energy, amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine), essential fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic acids), vitamins (ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B-12), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron), trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, and chromium), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), and ultratrace minerals (4). (Note the absence of specific carbohydrates from this list.)

    The theoretical minimal level of carbohydrate (CHO) intake is zero, but CHO is a universal fuel for all cells, the cheapest source of dietary energy, and also the source of plant fiber.

    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.full
  • Posts: 3,161 Member

    erm.... Speaking in absolutes is always dangerous. You say there is NO need for carbs. Then you say that fat and protein are the MOST important macros, indicating that other macros are also important, just less so. Such as carbs? Considering how carbs are used by the body during times of exercise stress, it's hard to believe that they are completely unneccessary.

    Again, the number of carbs NEEDED as in necessity is ZERO, zilch, none...........
    “The theoretical minimal level of carbohydrate (CHO) intake is zero, but CHO is a universal fuel for all cells, the cheapest source of dietary energy, and also the source of plant fiber.
  • Posts: 887 Member

    Nope, nothing essential about carbs.

    The theoretical minimal level of carbohydrate (CHO) intake is zero, but CHO is a universal fuel for all cells, the cheapest source of dietary energy, and also the source of plant fiber.

    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.full

    Seems like there would be a lot of hunter and gathering tribes throughout human history that would only consume meat due to a dearth of vegetation. I would imagine The Ice Age eliminated a lot of carbohydrate sources leaving humans to rely mostly on hunting; thus protein and fat sources.
  • Posts: 61,406 Member

    :noway: The body burns Glucose first because it wants that *kitten* out your system (just joking - but its not the bodys preferred fuel).

    so it burns it first and at every opportunity.....but it's not the preferred fuel source? what, the body just likes to postpone it's pleasure? the body is on some sort of tantric energy system plan?
  • Posts: 728 Member
    The currently established human essential nutrients are water, energy, amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine), essential fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic acids), vitamins (ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B-12), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron), trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, and chromium), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), and ultratrace minerals (4). (Note the absence of specific carbohydrates from this list.)

    The theoretical minimal level of carbohydrate (CHO) intake is zero, but CHO is a universal fuel for all cells, the cheapest source of dietary energy, and also the source of plant fiber.

    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/5/951.2.full

    Theoretically speaking.
  • Posts: 5,609 Member

    so it burns it first and at every opportunity.....but it's not the preferred fuel source? what, the body just likes to postpone it's pleasure? the body is on some sort of tantric energy system plan?

    The body doesn't burn it at every opportunity. If it's in the bloodstream it will burn it. However as the body can only store a small amount in the bloodstream - it's not what you would call ideal and not what I would call preferred.

    Now body fat - even the fittest athlete has this fuel in abundance.

    In fact I think tantric would best lend itself to body fat fuel as it's not what you would call anaerobic :smile:
  • Posts: 7,001 Member
    Carbs are in darn near everything we eat - but we supposedly don't need them. so maybe we don't need oxygen either? huh.
  • Posts: 10,477 Member
    so it burns it first and at every opportunity.....but it's not the preferred fuel source?

    glucose in blood sugar attacks the body and so is burned at the first opportunity. In fact the body burns what you just ate in preference, as it's in your blood stream, but will get the dangerous reducing sugar glucose out of there first which may mean passing on the fats.

    So the phrase "preferred fuel source" is probably nonsense, as you carry hundred of thousands to millions of calories as fat but not much as carbs. If that's not being carried for fuel I don't know why it's there. Most people are running on a fat / carb mix at low levels of activity, rising to 100% carbs (from glycogen) at high levels of exertion.
  • Posts: 10,477 Member
    But didn't Jesus eat bread and drink wine. Aren't those carbs?

    Wine is hopefully alcohol, not carbs - that would be grape juice.
  • Posts: 5,609 Member
    Carbs are in darn near everything we eat - but we supposedly don't need them. so maybe we don't need oxygen either? huh.

    No you're okay with oxygen (carb free) :laugh:
  • Posts: 16 Member
    terrible idea...your body NEEDS carbs. Eliminate the bad carbs (breads,pastas,etc) if you like. You need to still consume veggies,fruits,etc which all have carbs in them
  • Posts: 1,121 Member
    Reading this thread just put me into starvation mode
  • Posts: 747 Member

    glucose in blood sugar attacks the body and so is burned at the first opportunity. In fact the body burns what you just ate in preference, as it's in your blood stream, but will get the dangerous reducing sugar glucose out of there first which may mean passing on the fats.

    So the phrase "preferred fuel source" is probably nonsense, as you carry hundred of thousands to millions of calories as fat but not much as carbs. If that's not being carried for fuel I don't know why it's there. Most people are running on a fat / carb mix at low levels of activity, rising to 100% carbs (from glycogen) at high levels of exertion.

    If glucose is a poison that is burned at the first opportunity, they why does the body have a metabolic pathway for Gluconeogenesis?

    I am genuinely curious as I hear this a lot and it doesn't make sense that the body want to do this.
  • Posts: 479 Member

    :noway: The body burns Glucose first because it wants that *kitten* out your system (just joking - but its not the bodys preferred fuel).

    I suppose it would depend on what body functions we're talking about.
    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.

    http://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/content/carbohydrate
  • Posts: 479 Member

    :noway: The body burns Glucose first because it wants that *kitten* out your system (just joking - but its not the bodys preferred fuel).

    Granted, a quick google search shows that fat may be the primary preferred fuel source, but carbs aren't something your body doesn't need.
  • Posts: 5,609 Member
    Your body only needs what carbs turn into and it can make that itself.

    But that being said for me carbs (veggies and fruit) do have their place.
  • Posts: 5,609 Member
    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.

    [/quote]

    :noway: I don't disagree with the explanation above - but it doesn't account for the body using ketones as a fuel source or using a ketone/glycogen mix for the brain.

    Plus physical activity at less than 75% (approx) effort does not need to draw on glucose (ketones do just fine).

    Also unless you have a kidney disease - working the kidneys is a good thing (like working your heart is a good thing).
  • Posts: 12,589 Member

    glucose in blood sugar attacks the body and so is burned at the first opportunity. In fact the body burns what you just ate in preference, as it's in your blood stream, but will get the dangerous reducing sugar glucose out of there first which may mean passing on the fats.

    So the phrase "preferred fuel source" is probably nonsense, as you carry hundred of thousands to millions of calories as fat but not much as carbs. If that's not being carried for fuel I don't know why it's there. Most people are running on a fat / carb mix at low levels of activity, rising to 100% carbs (from glycogen) at high levels of exertion.

    :noway:

    funny-cat-sitting-on-laptop.jpg
  • Posts: 25,022 Member

    glucose in blood sugar attacks the body and so is burned at the first opportunity. In fact the body burns what you just ate in preference, as it's in your blood stream, but will get the dangerous reducing sugar glucose out of there first which may mean passing on the fats.

    So the phrase "preferred fuel source" is probably nonsense, as you carry hundred of thousands to millions of calories as fat but not much as carbs. If that's not being carried for fuel I don't know why it's there. Most people are running on a fat / carb mix at low levels of activity, rising to 100% carbs (from glycogen) at high levels of exertion.

    Speaking of nonsense...

    :indifferent:
  • Posts: 3,161 Member

    Granted, a quick google search shows that fat may be the primary preferred fuel source, but carbs aren't something your body doesn't need.

    Carbs are NOT a necessity. Look at any medical journal. Fat and protein are the only necessities.
  • Posts: 3,161 Member

    Considering carbs are the body's preferred source of energy, and the fact that those sugars fuel your brain.... Your body needs carbs.

    Human body does NOT need carbs. ZERO.

    Gluconeogenesis is a metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as fat.
  • Posts: 3,161 Member

    Theoretically speaking.

    Carbs are pushed because they are cheaper than fats and meats. Plain and simple.

    Grains are pushed because the government is in bed with the likes of Monsanto, Dupont, Cargill and other Big AG, hence the reason the amount of grains "recommended" in the food pyramid crap keeps going up and up.
  • Posts: 61,406 Member

    Carbs are NOT a necessity. Look at any medical journal. Fat and protein are the only necessities.

    Not a necessity is a far cry from CARBS IZ POISON, isn't it?
  • Posts: 4,440 Member

    Carbs are pushed because they are cheaper than fats and meats. Plain and simple.

    Grains are pushed because the government is in bed with the likes of Monsanto, Dupont, Cargill and other Big AG, hence the reason the amount of grains "recommended" in the food pyramid crap keeps going up and up.

    Here we go...

    You do know that most grains produced in the US are for livestock, right?
  • Posts: 61,406 Member

    Here we go...

    You do know that most grains produced in the US are for livestock, right?

    Why are we poisoning our livestock?
  • Posts: 22,511 Member
    Lulz.

    Ain't no hangry like keto hangry.
  • Posts: 5,609 Member
    Keto has cravings under control

    We just angry.
  • Posts: 78 Member
    Everyone in this thread acting like giving up carbs is dangerous...smh.
  • Posts: 479 Member
    Everyone in this thread acting like giving up carbs is dangerous...smh.

    I find it hard to believe that any person can have a diet containing no carbs, unless you're completely carnivore.
This discussion has been closed.