Comments on: New Weight Loss Research: Sugar Addictive, Low-Carb Memory Loss, Protein Burns Fat, And Money Talks

By: Dana

Dana — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:09:03 +0000

You know, I scanned through that cognitive study summary looking for a breakdown of what the LC study participants ate, and other than they had carb guidelines to follow and could otherwise choose what went into their mouths, I don’t see where any specific guidelines were followed on protein and fat intake. If they tried eating a low-fat version of low-carb, that could be an additional explanation for their brains not quite being up to snuff. Aside from the typical “withdrawal fog” which LCers experience in the first week, as another commenter already pointed out.

Also, it’s true that a few small areas of the brain need glucose. Very true. But if you notice, even when you are LCing, your body still maintains a baseline level of glucose in the blood. Ever wondered why that is? It has to do with mitochondria. Some cells in our bodies have lots of mitochondria, while others have very few or none. Those cells which possess little to no mitochondria must have glucose, because they can’t use ketones. I don’t know why that is, it is just something I have learned. But the number of tissues requiring glucose is very small. And most tissues in the nervous system, including the central nervous system, have enough mitochondria that they can utilize ketones with no problems at all.

But, here’s the kicker–we don’t NEED carbohydrates to make glucose. You probably already know that about half the protein we eat can potentially be turned into glucose if we need it. About ten percent of dietary fat can be converted to glucose as well (via glycerol, I believe?). Between one and the other, we can make enough glucose to power those few cells and tissues which can’t get by on ketones. That is why we always maintain a low level of glucose even when we’re not eating anything glycemic, and why we would die if our blood sugar dropped too low.

I am continually amazed that I, a mere laywoman, can pick this stuff up (remembering some of it from honors biology, and learning the rest of it here and there along the way since) and yet these brilliant scientific minds that have been just steeped in this info? For some reason they just can’t get around to remembering how the body works. They can’t even argue honestly about it. They can’t say, “This study produced this outcome because [specific organ] needs [specific nutrient] to [perform specific action] and here’s the chemical pathway.” No, they resort to blather such as, “Well, WE ALL KNEW the study was gonna turn out this way ’cause EVERYBODY knows the brain can’t live without sugar.” People, “everybody knows” is NOT science. Nice try though.

Well-stated, Dana! Your comment reminds me of my “body needs carbs” blog post from a couple of years back. People have no clue about what gluconeogenesis does and why it enables a low-carb dieter to receive all the glucose your brain and body needs to function very well. You certainly do understand how this process works better than most medical professionals and that is a sad commentary on health education in America.

–Jimmy

By: ethyl d

ethyl d — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:03:25 +0000

Re: the memory study. I’ve been faithful to low carb for a couple of years now, and before I recommitted and was eating a high-carb diet, I was getting scared about how bad my memory was getting. Once back on low-carb, my mental clarity has greatly increased and my memory has improved, not to mention my mood. I used to suffer from severe depression, but not any more. I’m sure a thorough analysis of this study would show just how bogus it was.

I agree, Ethyl! Carbohydrates give you that “brain fog” that you can’t ever seem to come out of. Well said!

–Jimmy

By: J. Sue Gagliardi

J. Sue Gagliardi — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:09:35 +0000

Hi Jimmy,
Today is the full Moon. I’ve always heard that to live totally with nature, one can diet more successfully with the full Moon. As the full Moon decreases in light, we will decrease in weight as long as our intention is strong and we follow a good diet. I’m going to keep my journal public so I’ll stay motivated. You’re one of my heroes and thank you for all your work for us.
Sue

By: Tom Bunnell

Tom Bunnell — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:36:59 +0000

Adrenaline pours non-stop into our blood stream when we are breaking our sugar/stimulant addiction. This goes on for several months. — Something like tobacco withdrawals.

Our cognition is definitely effected by this.

I also think our non-stimulated brain needs to relearn some of it’s processes in a non-stimulated state after being stimulated for what amounts to, our entire life.

By: Clair Nielson

Clair Nielson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:16:58 +0000

The low carb effect on cognition was during the first week on the diet. Most low-carbers know there is a transition period while the body adjusts to low carb. So the results just confirm this well known fact.

EXCELLENT POINT, Clair! It’d be great to see this test after they’ve been on low-carb for a couple of months. And it doesn’t seem like they allow the people on low-carb stay there for very long. This is likely because the researchers believe that diet was harmful to the study participants somehow. Ridiculous!

–Jimmy

By: BD

BD — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:43:58 +0000

Jimmie,

Can I ask you a question regarding Ketones. I will use this opportunity because you make mention of them in this entry.

I have been reading Dr. Sears’ book on Inflammation. There he mentions (If I understand this correct) that the very low carb diets are not good because they put the body into ketosis. Ketosis is bad because in response it leads to the production of cortisol, which is bad because that causes inflammation, which is bad because that is the reason for all our maladies.

(That may be a very simplistic summary!)

Anyway, have you ever heard that before? Is there any truth to it? I have always been led to believe ketosis through reducing carbs is a beneficial thing.

What an EXCELLENT question, BD! THANKS for asking. While I appreciate the work Dr. Barry Sears puts out there, I disagree with his assertion that a state of ketosis increases cortisol and inflammation. The Inuit, Eskimos, and Paleolithic man all THRIVED on a very low-carb ketogenic (VLCK) diet where ketone bodies were the primary source of energy. There was no high-carb foods for them to consume…and yet they made it. If you want to read more from some low-carb experts on this issue, then check out this blog I wrote about this earlier this year. THANKS for your comments!

–Jimmy