Metabolic need for sugar

HSSS

Expert
Messages
7,465
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Anyone got any handy links for the non absolute necessity of consuming sugar (glucose) as we can get the required amounts for the brain from protein? I’ve read it plenty but can’t lay my hands right now on anything substantive right now (out and about). tia
 
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Nothing to hand but there's certainly no need for me to consume any glucose. Otherwise I'd be long dead. Most days I ingest no more than 1-2g and have been doing this for a long time while feeling awesome and being even clevererer.

@bulkbiker seems like a bit of a wikipedia for links to resources of this nature...
 
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Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,796
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Throughout my journey through my battle to get a definitive diagnosis and then finding out why my body does what it does, the question of how much glucose and where we get it from to sustain good brain function, has been an issue.
Every doctor, every dsn, every dietician, every dietary advice, even from my specialist endocrinologist said I must have complex carbs to sustain brain function.

It is simply not so!
Maybe I am a bit weird, but I have found that I actually don't need any form of sugar to feed my brain through dietary intake. In fact, I feel much better not eating or fasting and my brain actually works better than after a meal, regardless of how low carb it is (very!)

My job, is very demanding on my brain, I have to retain lists of items, admittedly with paper lists, but I have a good working noggin retaining information about certain preferences for individuals, and collective equipment needed.
I can only think of describing it as moving house once or twice a week.

So I need a clear mind and a lot of energy to cope with a very demanding job.

Being in or near ketosis, eating only protein, salad vegetables, some fruit, knowing what my body is capable of handling, helps my health, my longevity, my bank account.

In my experience, your brain only needs very little glucose from any source.


Final question for those who are interested.
So many people who do not diabetes or metabolic conditions have symptoms of a sugar crash in the afternoon.
Mostly, falling asleep, sluggish, brain fog!
Why?
 
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Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,850
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
There are animals which hibernate and go through prolonged fasts - they have brains - so - there is an obvious question.
 

HSSS

Expert
Messages
7,465
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Final question for those who are interested.
So many people who do not diabetes or metabolic conditions have symptoms of a sugar crash in the afternoon.
Mostly, falling asleep, sluggish, brain fog!
Why?

sugar high after a meal?
Slight hypo after a high following a meal?
Eat enough carbs even a healthy system could be temporarily overwhelmed no?

Actually do have a undiagnosed condition ?
 

NicoleC1971

BANNED
Messages
3,451
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Throughout my journey through my battle to get a definitive diagnosis and then finding out why my body does what it does, the question of how much glucose and where we get it from to sustain good brain function, has been an issue.
Every doctor, every dsn, every dietician, every dietary advice, even from my specialist endocrinologist said I must have complex carbs to sustain brain function.

It is simply not so!
Maybe I am a bit weird, but I have found that I actually don't need any form of sugar to feed my brain through dietary intake. In fact, I feel much better not eating or fasting and my brain actually works better than after a meal, regardless of how low carb it is (very!)

My job, is very demanding on my brain, I have to retain lists of items, admittedly with paper lists, but I have a good working noggin retaining information about certain preferences for individuals, and collective equipment needed.
I can only think of describing it as moving house once or twice a week.

So I need a clear mind and a lot of energy to cope with a very demanding job.

Being in or near ketosis, eating only protein, salad vegetables, some fruit, knowing what my body is capable of handling, helps my health, my longevity, my bank account.

In my experience, your brain only needs very little glucose from any source.


Final question for those who are interested.
So many people who do not diabetes or metabolic conditions have symptoms of a sugar crash in the afternoon.
Mostly, falling asleep, sluggish, brain fog!
Why?
Last question:
Sugar burners have an energy crash because they burn kindling (carbs) mostly rather than logs (fat supplies). Your brain will regulate your activity levels when it perceives a fuel issue. If you are metabolically compromised and tend to store carbs as fuel very easily your brain cannot see your hidden energy supplies so you are hungry and craving sweets and then exhausted when the fuel supply stops.
And yes a dip in blood sugar for me as type 1 definitely leads to sleepiness and a relcutance to move/think! Preceded by panic and irritability!