Tag: Ketogenic vs glucogenic

The human brain requires approximately 120 grams of glucose daily to function, yet the body only stores a small amount of readily available glucose. To ensure a constant supply for the brain and other essential tissues, the body relies on a vital process known as gluconeogenesis, where non-carbohydrate sources are converted into new glucose molecules. This metabolic flexibility is at the heart of what it means to be glucogenic.

The human brain requires approximately 120 grams of glucose daily to function optimally. Under what conditions do amino acids get converted to glucose is a critical physiological question, with the answer centered on a process called gluconeogenesis, which kicks in to ensure this vital fuel supply is maintained when other sources are scarce. During fasting, low-carb diets, or starvation, the body taps into protein reserves to synthesize new glucose molecules, with the liver playing the primary role in this conversion.