Protein

In the past several articles, we have been talking about how it is that fats and cholesterol became the enemies of the table. But after going through the entire story, we can see that the science of dietary fat is much more complicated than it has been presented by The Official Opinion. Article 18 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series.

Article 11 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. Since some of the protein I eat converts to carbs, can I eat only protein if I take supplements to provide what I'm not getting in veggies?

Dr. Beth Gruber talks about how protein works in the body. Article 10 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. The liver converts an average of 58% of the protein we eat into carbohydrates, and that the carbohydrates-from-protein are handled by the body just like "regular" carbohydrates. It is broken down into glucose by the simple water-related steps of hydrolysis; it is used for fuel to run the body; it is converted to glycogen and stored. If there is too much of it, it is converted into body fat.

Excess protein is transformed into glucose in the liver in a process called gluconeogenesis. The glucose turns into glycogen by the liver. Article 9 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. The CHO portion of the protein is transformed into glucose in the liver in a process called gluconeogenesis (gluco-NEO-genesis; gluco=sugar; neo=new; genesis=creation). The glucose is then available to be transformed into glycogen by the liver, just like the glucose from "regular" carbohydrates.

Protein Digestion and Protein Absorption. Article 8 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. The protein parts of every cell in the body are being destroyed continually. As a result, our bodies need to replace these protein structures constantly. This requires that we eat protein every day. Fortunately, those of us who follow a low carbohydrate lifestyle, don't have any problems getting enough needed protein.

Today we are starting our discussion of protein. Article 7 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. We will be looking at such subjects as what is protein, why protein is necessary, what the functions of protein are in our bodies, where we get protein, what happens if we don't have enough or the right kinds of protein, and how and where in the system is protein digested. There will be a few surprises down the line.