Posts

Please Note

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

I attempt to represent the findings of others, both contemporary research and traditional herbal uses, primarily within the context of traditional western herbalism.

Ketogenesis and Amino Acids

Just a little something to chew on. Some amino acids are ketogenic - they can be converted to ketones, which the body can use for fuel. They do not contribute to high blood glucose levels, and, in fact, are the basis of the Keto Diet which has become popular in recent years. Other amino acids are glucogenic - they can be converted into glucose - blood sugar.  Now, to a non-diabetic, this may not be a problem, but a diabetic wants to be aware of this. And some are both ketogenic and glucogenic. The ketogenic aminos are Lysine  Leucine. The glucogenic aminos are Alanine Arginine Asparagine Aspartic Cysteine Glutamic Glutamine Glycine Histidine Methionine Proline Serine Valine Those aminos that are both glucogenic and ketogenic are Phenylalanine Isoleucine Threonine Tryptophan Tyrosine OK, so far.  Obviously, if one is interested in amino acid supplements in support of a Keto diet, Lysine and Leucine are of interest. But, another thing hit