Thread by @NutrientDieting

GLUCONEOGENESIS THREAD 🧵

Our brain needs glucose in the blood to function. When glucose isn't immediately available, the liver will do two things:

1.breakdown its stored liver glycogen into glucose when more energy needs to be produced #glycogenolysis

2. #Gluconeogenesis 👇

Gluconeogenesis - the conversion of non-carbohydrate compounds* to glucose. [aka the genesis of new glucose]

This process can produce around 130g/day w/o carbohydrate ingestion; about the amount the brain requires daily.

*amino acids, pyruvate, glycerol & lactate👇

The four main compounds that are able to go through gluconerogenesis:

• pruvate from glycolysis
• lactate from glycolysis
• almost all amino acids
• glycerol from triglycerides

Though the liver handles most of the demand, the kidneys can also contribute to gluconeogenesis.

What about high intensity energy demand?

Lactate from the muscle is circulated to the liver, then converted to glucose. This glucose travels back to the muscle for further energy transfer.

The gluconeogenic pathway manages high levels of lactate from high intensity exercise.

The above process is known as the Cori Cycle.

So, when dietary carbohydrate intake is low, our bodies produce glucose for energy by breaking down protein and fats, when necessary.

This is how "carbs aren't essential" is justified.

NOTE: Gluconeogenesis is limited 👇

When the demand for glucose is greater than gluconeogenesis's abilities our liver can make ketones for energy and to fuel the brain.

That's an entire thread on it's own; fat metabolism.