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[quote=Anonymous][quote]I'm trying to understand the point you're trying to make with this, because gluconeogenesis is not necessarily always a good thing. This is the process, as you correctly point out, of converting glucose from protein. But if your body's using [b]protein instead of carbohydrates for glucose[/b], then it isn't using that protein to build muscle; muscle is exactly what we want if we're concerned about body composition. This is precisely why low carb diets aren't advised for people who also are strength training (which should be everyone given the non-aesthetic benefits of it). (And by strength training I essentially mean any progressive resistance weight-bearing exercise, including yoga).

The other thing that confuses me about your post is that I don't think you're advocating a diet composed solely of proteins and fats, to the exclusion of things like vegetables and fruits. But I can't quite pin down what you're trying to say.

So, while you are technically correct that the [b]body can cannibalize muscle to produce the glucose[/b] it needs to conduct its business, this isn't really a practical way of looking at it. But I concede I may be missing your point. I also concede that I'm hitting the outer limits of my cellular-level understanding of metabolism. Can you elaborate?

Finally, this discussion is why I always advocate people driving to be more fit rather than losing weight. If we focus on losing weight, then things like ultra-low carb diets seem to make good sense. But if we focus on health, strength, mobility--and dare I say virility, then carbs are essential. They are far less essential than the standard role they've come to play in the American diet, but they are essential nonetheless.

Jason[/quote]Not the PP, but it sounds like they're talking about the ketogenic diet in which fat (not protein) is used for glucose production. Protein consumption is increased so that the body does not break down muscle. [url=http://eatingacademy.com/nutrition/ketosis-advantaged-or-misunderstood-state-part-i]This article[/url] explains it (but gets into the scientific weeds a bit). I've been lurking around the [url=http://www.reddit.com/r/keto]keto subreddit[/url] and people are losing tons of weight by creating a caloric deficit [i]but also[/i] limiting carbs and upping their protein and fat intake. That site links to a keto calculator where you can figure out what your macro levels should be. I haven't tried the diet yet and am skeptical that it works, but there are a lot of before-and-afters on that site where people are losing weight much more quickly than if they had just stuck to a carb-heavy, low-calorie diet. Granted, it seems to work better for the very overweight and/or insulin-resistant. And I don't think OP should try it because of her thyroid issues. But I've got about 40 pounds to lose...I think I'm going to try it for awhile and see what happens. 
[/quote]

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