Re: Gluconeogenesis (Glucose from Protein) was Re: Insulin Spike - ?

[Guest guest]

Lana-

>Yeah, I understand that you don't want to... but if you are fasting,

>it happens.

True, and just one more reason to think twice (and thrice) before fasting.

>Honestly, I would think that insulin production in response to protein

>is learned by being in protein burning mode too often. If the body

>never needed to make glucose out of protein, why would it know to

>release insulin?

Actually, this is a common misconception. Insulin isn't merely the

store-sugar-as-fat hormone. It's a more general purpose anabolic

hormone. The body responds to protein with insulin in order to build

muscle. This is why bodybuilders go nutso with insulin stimulation

via lean protein and simple carbs.

>Is there an easy way to tell if you have switched to protein burning

>mode? (Mastering Leptin talks about a smooth, gliding feeling to

>muscles when exercising in fat burning mode.)

I don't know about easy, but exercise performance and blood sugar

levels are decent indicators. Sleep quality and rising blood glucose

levels would also help clue you in.

>On a side note, I get so frustrated when I need foods I used to eat in

>huge amounts as a kid, but stopped because they were " bad " . I guess

>that really puts a new meaning to " Ignorance is Bliss. "

I know the feeling. If I could go back in time, I'd kick my own ass

-- and my mom's ass, and probably a lot of other asses too. <g>

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