No, that is true, and no-one is saying that protein is the only way to cause the alpha cells to secrete glucagon. I'm sure there are other mechanisms that trigger it as well! I've edited my original post to make it clear that this is discussing only dietary protein.No argument from me, but.... dietary protein does not trigger glucagon secreation when the body precieves that you're hypoglycaemic , nor, indeed, when you experience an adrenaline surge.
It is the presence of protein that switches on the glucagon secretion in this instance. It does this by triggering an insulin reaction with no carbs present, as insulin is needed for amino acid transport into cells. If you have insulin you need glucose and if this hasn't been eaten, then glucagon is released to get it from the liver processing glycogen. Thus, it is the presence of protein that causes the increase in blood glucose levels.
In a healthy non-diabetic, the beta cells have multiple roles. One is to release insulin and the another is to release Amylin. Amylin slows digestion and crucially suppresses the action of glucagon in the liver. There is also some indication that it can limit the release of glucagon from the alpha cells.
As a T1 with no beta cells, you don't have this mechanism. In the US there is a product called Symlin which is synthetic Amylin and it can be prescribed. It is not licensed in the UK due to fears over the hormone causing hypos.
Insulin can also limit glucagon's action, but not terribly efficiently and if you are injecting it, the majority of your insulin hits the muscles and not the liver, where it is needed to reduce GNG.
My experiments on me would back that up.I may be wrong, but I'm sure that glucagon is secreted when protein is eaten, independent of BS levels.
While I'm here any quick ideas for lchf meal sides? Getting a bit bored of spinach and kale! Not too keen on egg plant either
Ta
Yep the amount of protein on body building sites is over the top for regular joes... I took mine from here http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/ which gave me a range from 105g to170g a day of protein (I weigh 115kg)..
Seems to be working I am losing fat and putting on muscle (LCHF), but its probably muscle memory as I lost a lot over the last couple of years trying (and failing) to control T2..
My bloods are now in the normal range and I feel good ... so that will do me....
Gotta admit a lot over the last 2 pages is over my head , so if anyone fancies giving me the laymans version..............
Glucagon is secreted by the pancreas when you eat protein, experience low blood sugar, or have an adrenaline surge. The glucagon will stimulate your liver to make new glucose, and to release it (along with some stored glucose) into your blood stream; thereby, increasing your blood sugar levels, unless something stops it. High concentrations of insulin (and smaller quantities of amylin - also, secreted by the pancreas) can stop the pancreas releasing glucagon (much higher than anyone can safely inject); lower concentrations (but still much higher than is safely injected) may be responsible for blocking glucagon's action on the liver. Insulin is needed to get protein into muscle cells as well a dealing with blood glucose - OK if you've got plenty of it, but a problem for diabetics. Various drugs can suppress glucagon secreation and action.
I think.......
Or......... High glucagon levels (caused by, but not exclusively, high dietary protein) will up your blood sugar levels unless you do something about it....
So that means that if my bloods are good, (6.3 this afternoon 2 hours after a protein shake) then my protein intake is fine ???
Confused.com!
So if I upped my protein to a level that I think I need to consume for my training, bs are good, 0.9 ketone reading is that OK?
Bit confused about GNG? This is bad right? If I'm bolusing for protein Im in a state of GNG and not ketosis?
And I thought this lchf diet was gonna be easy. How wrong was I! Hehe
Confused.com!
So if I upped my protein to a level that I think I need to consume for my training, bs are good, 0.9 ketone reading is that OK?
Bit confused about GNG? This is bad right? If I'm bolusing for protein Im in a state of GNG and not ketosis?
And I thought this lchf diet was gonna be easy. How wrong was I! Hehe
Only if you're happy with 6.3 They may be lower if you only found that you, in reality, only need half the drink - plus it can be extra stressful for the body to excrete masses of protein. Best thing to do is buy some 'pee strips' that measure protein (e.g. Item # 310256074799 On eBay UK), and aim to have a small amount of excreted protein showing - that way you know that you're getting enough protein to cover your personal needs, but not too much - if that makes sense.....
Cheers , will have a look at those strips thanks..............
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