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Glucose Better for Your Brain??


Juliana

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A friend of mine just sent me this article, knowing I am on my second Whole30. It basically asserts that paleo-type diets may not actually be best for the brain. If any of you have time can you read it and tell me what you think/know regarding this topic? Thanks!!

 

http://www.nootropicmind.com/better-brain-fuel-source-carbs-or-fats-glucose-or-ketones/

 

 

 

 

 

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Whole30 and paleo in general doesn't restrict carbs enough for people to enter ketosis unless they really trying (typically).

But,

> It basically asserts that paleo-type diets may not actually be best for the brain.

I didn't get that from the article at all.

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I read through the whole article and didn't find a place where it asserted that paleo type diets may not be best for the brain.

 

What part of it did you feel called out Paleo Diets as not best for the brain?  Maybe we can discuss it?

 

And Kirkor, even if Paleo did restrict enough to enter ketosis easily, because glucose can be gotten from the body's ability to convert proteins into glucose, it still wouldn't be a problem for the ol' gray matter...

 

From the article:

 

However, because glucose can be derived from non-carbohydrate sources such as protein, a low carb or no carb diet does not starve the brain of its required energy. Nevertheless, carbohydrates possess the ability to flood the body and brain with glucose which may be beneficial to someone who is about to engage in a difficult mental or physical activity. Therefore, the optimum diet for a person to maximize their brain function depends on what type of activities they will be engaged in, the length of time they will be engaged, and the current condition of said individual.

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And Kirkor, even if Paleo did restrict enough to enter ketosis easily, because glucose can be gotten from the body's ability to convert proteins into glucose, it still wouldn't be a problem for the ol' gray matter...

Oh I know: see my sig ;)

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I got pretty much the same thing from my dad about how I needed to eat bread and pasta for my brain to function. Ummmm no, I get plenty of carbs from my veggies and the small amount of fruit I eat so I am good, I am good. Also, a person's liver makes its own glucose, so good there too! Did you know that the hormonal surge that helps to wake you up in the morning (sans alarm) is a glucose dump from your liver?? Had my diabetes nurse tell me that a few years ago. 

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I Did you know that the hormonal surge that helps to wake you up in the morning (sans alarm) is a glucose dump from your liver?? Had my diabetes nurse tell me that a few years ago.

I did not know that, very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Edit: I wonder how you change that? I wake up naturally at 5am every morning, it's great. My husband on the other hand wakes up at 3am every morning. And it is not great. I'm going to research and see if there is something he can do/eat in order to delay that. If you know any more info, please share! :)

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I did not know that, very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Edit: I wonder how you change that? I wake up naturally at 5am every morning, it's great. My husband on the other hand wakes up at 3am every morning. And it is not great. I'm going to research and see if there is something he can do/eat in order to delay that. If you know any more info, please share! :)

 

Personal findings...I was waking at 3am every morning for a long time. Upping my starchy vegetables in the evening has helped a lot. I had read somewhere on here something about the body replacing glycogen stores at about that time in the morning and that it can wake you up.

 

On the original topic...brain function is something I've found much improved from a Whole9/paleo lifestyle. One of the big wins I've had is not having constant every day mid afternoon brain fog. 

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Personal findings...I was waking at 3am every morning for a long time. Upping my starchy vegetables in the evening has helped a lot. I had read somewhere on here something about the body replacing glycogen stores at about that time in the morning and that it can wake you up.

 

By "evening" do you mean with your M3 or shortly before bed?

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By "evening" do you mean with your M3 or shortly before bed?

 

Generally I have starchy vegetables with both M2 and M3 and sometimes before bed especially the nights I teach. I generally don't have them with meal 1 unless I taught a very early class and only had a pre-workout mini meal before.

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