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, ano...