On Wed, 22 Apr 1998, Lisa Sporleder wrote:

> > She says you need at least 30%
> > carbohydrates to avoid pulling protein out of your muscles.  Does anyone
> > know if this is true?
>
> According to my body, no, it is not true in the least.  I definitely
> do not eat 30% carbs, have not in over two years, and I am getting
> stronger.  Our bodies are designed to be able to run on protein and
> fat.  Yes, there are a couple body parts (I know only of red blood
> cells and a *portion* of the brain stem) that require glucose to
> function, but given sufficient protein intake, the human body can
> easily manufacture the glucose necessary to nourish those cells.

The process is called "gluconeogenesis."

A separate question is whether there is any advantage or
disadvantage to using protein or carbs as a glucose source.
Offhand, I can't think of anything either way.

For those of us who are not getting much marrow or organ meats,
however, we probably need to rely on nuts and olives for adequate
levels of monounsaturated fats, and these are also carbohydrate
foods, of course.  But that is only an indirect need for carbs...

Todd Moody
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