On Thu, 8 Feb 2001, Phosphor wrote:

>   In the case of Eskimos or Masai, or for strict and very low-carb eating
> people generally, how do they supply their brain with glucose?
> I read somewhere that the brain can use ketones to some extent when forced
> to, but glucose remans essential. Is it got from recycling amino acids or
> fatty acids? and what is the metabolic pathway employed?

It's from amino acids, and the process is called gluconeogenesis.
Glucose is essential for some brain cells, retinal cells, red
blood cells, and fast-twitch muscle cells.  There may be others,
but those are the ones I know about.

Todd Moody
[log in to unmask]