Reply to What do you mean by "eliminating carbs"? Aren't carbs a necessity?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=present_tense][quote=Anonymous][quote=present_tense]Maybe some basic info will help. Carbohydrates are one of the three primary "macronutrients," along with protein and fat. A macronutrient is simply a major nutrient group.

The process of digesting carbohydrates breaks down complex forms of the macronutrient into simpler forms of sugar so they can be released into your bloodstream as glucose.

Your body needs glucose, so part of your intuition is correct: you do need to consume carbohydrates.

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You do need glucose, but you don't need to get it from carbohydrates in your diet.

Fat and protein can both be converted into glucose if necessary through a process called gluconeogenesis.

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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 protein instead of carbohydrates for glucose, 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 [b]the body can cannibalize muscle to produce the glucose it needs to conduct its business[/b], 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

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The body can burn stored fat to produce glucose.   This is what happens in times of long-term fasting, if one has ample fat supplies (as so many people nowadays do!)

We do not require carbohydrates to produce glucose to live.

Yes of course, we should eat fruits and vegetables for necessary vitamins and minerals.  [/quote]

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