From http://davidbressler.com/2013/08/26/easier-harder/ |
From Neuron fuel and function (emphasis & formatting, mine):-
"Ketones and lactate do not drive reverse electron flow through complex I. Glucose can. Palmitate certainly can. What you want from a metabolic fuel depends on the remit of your cell types. Neurons within the brain preserve information by their continued existence.
This is best done by burning lactate or ketones. NOT glucose and, of course, not FFAs.
Anyone who claims that glucose is the preferred metabolic fuel of the brain has not though (sic) about what a neuron has to do and what an astrocyte actually does do. Or much about the electron transport chain."
Basically, glucose is bad mmm-kay. Also, anyone who claims that glucose is the preferred metabolic fuel of the brain is a dumb-ass. Damn our livers & kidneys churning out glucose! Are they trying to kill us?
∴ Carbohydrates are bad and must be avoided at all cost! This, of course, is utter nonsense.
Glucose can drive reverse electron flow through complex I. Can means that it's possible. Is it probable?
On a hypercaloric Western diet of excessive crap-in-a-bag/box/bottle, yes.
On a Kitavan diet of ~70%E from tubers, no.
On a diet of Basmati rice & beans, no.
On a diet of whole fruits, no.
See also Another crash and burn on low carb paleo and CrossFit. Enough of the 'carbs are evil' nonsense. Carbphobia is hurting a lot of people.
I have a list of blogs that I read on a regular basis. As a result of the bad science & cherry-picking displayed in various VLC blogs, I have deleted them from my Blog List.
See also Guest post: Denialism as Pseudoscientific Thinking.