Fueling Your Body Beyond Carbohydrates 💪
- Vital Gnosis Team
- Sep 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 13, 2024
Sure, we all know carbs are a significant energy source. But did you know your body has other tricks up its sleeve? Let's burn through the fascinating world of non-carbohydrate powerhouses contributing to your energy levels and overall health.
Lactate: The Ultimate Comeback Kid
Lactate gets a bad rap, often associated with that burning sensation during intense workouts. 🥵 But it's far more than a mere waste product.
Think of lactate as a recycling champion. ♻️ Your muscles produce it during exercise, and your liver cleverly converts it back into glucose. This provides a continuous energy supply, especially when pushing your limits.
But wait, there's more! Lactate also acts as a signal, telling your body to grow and adapt. It boosts muscle growth, enhances blood flow, and even helps delay fatigue. So, the next time you feel the burn, remember that lactate is your ally, not your enemy!
Glycerol: The Fat-Burning Powerhouse
Glycerol is the backbone of triglycerides, the fat stored in your body when you need energy. Glycerol steps in and transforms it into glucose.
This process is crucial when you're fasting or on a low-carb diet. Your liver and kidneys become glucose factories fueled by glycerol. 🏭 This ensures your brain and other vital organs have the necessary energy.
Gluconeogenic Amino Acids: Protein Power at its Finest
When carbs are scarce, your body turns to protein for help. 🦸♀️ Gluconeogenic amino acids from protein breakdown can be converted into glucose.
This pathway is essential during fasting, low-carb diets, or intense exercise. Amino acids from muscle breakdown become your energy lifeline, ensuring your body runs smoothly.
Propionate: The Gut's Gift to Your Metabolism
Propionate is a short-chain fatty acid your gut bacteria produce when they feast on fiber. 🦠 While other SCFAs primarily fuel your gut cells, propionate has an exceptional talent: it can also be turned into glucose!
This means that your body can still produce some glucose even on a low-carb or keto diet, thanks to your friendly gut microbes. A fiber-rich diet supports a thriving gut microbiome and optimal propionate production.
Embrace Non-Carbohydrate Metabolism 🎼
These non-carbohydrate fuels highlight the remarkable adaptability of the human body. By embracing a balanced diet rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, you can support the production of these energy sources, optimize your metabolic flexibility, and enhance your overall well-being.
🍎🥦🥑🍗
Support these metabolic processes and optimize your health by first recognizing that it's not just about carbs when you need energy; each player contributes to a harmonious whole with a world of energy sources waiting to be tapped into!
Remember:
Eat a balanced diet of fiber, protein, and healthy fats to fuel your body's diverse energy pathways.
Nurture your gut microbiome with fiber-rich foods to promote propionate production and support overall health.
Embrace the complexity of your metabolism and appreciate how your body adapts to different energy sources.
Key takeaways you may wish to copy or screenshot:
Lactate: The Ultimate Comeback Kid ♻️
Glycerol: The Fat-Burning Powerhouse 🏭
Gluconeogenic Amino Acids: Protein Power at its Finest 🦸♀️
Propionate: The Gut's Gift to Your Metabolism 🦠
Let's celebrate the unsung heroes of our metabolism and unlock the full potential of our body's energy system!
❤️
Thank you for reading!
If you found this article helpful and inspiring, or if you would like to learn more about how a holistic approach to your health could greatly benefit your life, click the button below to visit our supporting sciences page at www.VitalGnosis.com
The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only, not medical advice regarding your specific health questions or concerns.
References:
Lactate as a Fuel Source and Signaling Molecule: Brooks, G. A. (2009). Cell-cell and intracellular lactate shuttles. The Journal of physiology, 587(23), 5591-5600.
Lactate and Exercise Performance: Gladden, L. B. (2004). Lactate metabolism: a new paradigm for the third millennium. The Journal of physiology, 558(1), 5-30.
Lactate and Muscle Adaptation: Hashimoto, T., Hussien, R., & Brooks, G. A. (2006). Colocalization of MCT1, CD147, and LDH in mitochondrial inner membrane of L6 muscle cells: evidence of a mitochondrial lactate oxidation complex. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 290(6), E1237-E1244.
Glycerol and Gluconeogenesis: Lin, E. C. (1977). Glycerol utilization and its regulation in mammals. Annual review of biochemistry, 46(1), 765-795.
Glycerol in Ketogenic Diets: Laffel, L. (1999). Ketone bodies: a review of physiology, pathophysiology and application of monitoring to diabetes. Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews, 15(6), 412-426.
Gluconeogenesis from Amino Acids: Brosnan, J. T. (2003). Interorgan amino acid transport and its regulation. The Journal of Nutrition, 133(6), 2068S-2072S.
Transamination in Amino Acid Metabolism: Meister, A. (1955). Transamination. Advances in Enzymology and Related Areas of Molecular Biology, 16, 185-246.
Propionate Production by Gut Microbiota: Reichardt, N., Duncan, S. H., Young, P., Belenguer, A., Leitch, C. M., Scott, K. P., … & Flint, H. J. (2014). Phylogenetic distribution of three pathways for propionate production within the human gut microbiota. The ISME journal, 8(6), 1323-1335.
Propionate and Metabolic Health: Chambers, E. S., Viardot, A., Psichas, A., Morrison, D. J., Murphy, K. G., Zac-Varghese, S. E., … & Frost, G. (2015). Effects of targeted delivery of propionate to the human colon on appetite regulation, body weight maintenance and adiposity in overweight adults. Gut, 64(11), 1744-1754.)
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