A question about blood sugar

[ProteinTreasure]

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After going over my biochemistry books, I am totally confused now, so I need some clarification, please.

Does blood sugar level go up after ingestion of only protein and/or fat meal? Is the insulin level affected? Is a protein- and/or fat-rich diet likely to result in hypoglycemia?

 

[AggieSean]

After going over my biochemistry books, I am totally confused now, so I need some clarification, please.

Does blood sugar level go up after ingestion of only protein and/or fat meal? Is the insulin level affected? Is a protein- and/or fat-rich diet likely to result in hypoglycemia?

As I understand, carbs --> increase blood sugar. That's why diabetics can't just eat protein and fat only meals while on insulin/hypoglycemics.

 

[ProteinTreasure]

Well, some proteins, known as glucogenic, get converted eventually to glucose. I'd like to find out how fast they get converted into glucose, and how much insulin is affected.

 

[RySerr21]

After going over my biochemistry books, I am totally confused now, so I need some clarification, please.

Does blood sugar level go up after ingestion of only protein and/or fat meal? Is the insulin level affected? Is a protein- and/or fat-rich diet likely to result in hypoglycemia?

if you have a meal that is all protein or fat your blood glucose levels definitely are not going to rise (same with insulin levels). I mean yes amino acids can be used for gluconeogenic purposes but its not going to happen right away and only under specific circumstances. Look at the glycemic index for cheese (which is just fat and protein).....its 0. That being said you would have to purposely try to eat a meal with absolutely zero carbs and just protein and fat. Not very likely to happen.

 

[bodonid]

After going over my biochemistry books, I am totally confused now, so I need some clarification, please.

Does blood sugar level go up after ingestion of only protein and/or fat meal? Is the insulin level affected? Is a protein- and/or fat-rich diet likely to result in hypoglycemia?

The main stimulus for insulin secretion is increased blood glucose. With a protein/fat diet you will not get a sharp increase in glucose, so you won't get the insulin you need to go hypoglycemic.

Amino acids are a very weak stimulus for insulin release, so you might have a very slight, transient (but likely unmeasurable) hypoglycemia. Correct me.

 

[bodonid]

if you have a meal that is all protein or fat your blood glucose levels definitely are not going to rise (same with insulin levels). I mean yes amino acids can be used for gluconeogenic purposes but its not going to happen right away and only under specific circumstances. Look at the glycemic index for cheese (which is just fat and protein).....its 0. That being said you would have to purposely try to eat a meal with absolutely zero carbs and just protein and fat. Not very likely to happen.

Heard of Dr. Atkins?

 

[Dirt]

Heard of Dr. Atkins?

The chance of subsiding on food that was 100% protein of fat is essentially zero. Even the aforementioned cheese has some carbs in it. Even so, proteins and some fats (odd #) would increase your blood glucose albeit not as fast as carbs. They would not cause hypoglycemia post prandial.

 

[ThinkTooMuch]

also depends on the type of protein. whey protein digests very fast and is highly insulinogenic. cassein just the oppsite. its effect on spiking insulin is about 50% that of simple carbs. so 50g whey will have similar result as 25 grams of fructose as far an insulin spike is concerned, all else being equal. and yes adding lots of fat will slow everything down and result in small spike.

 

[ACSurgeon]

After going over my biochemistry books, I am totally confused now, so I need some clarification, please.

Does blood sugar level go up after ingestion of only protein and/or fat meal? Is the insulin level affected? Is a protein- and/or fat-rich diet likely to result in hypoglycemia?

Insulin WILL go up in response to amino acids and fatty acids (to up-regulate anabolic pathways that utilize aa and FA). I don't think the increase in insulin is anywhere near what it would be if the meal also contained glucose. Regarding hypoglycemia, I doubt it, as glucose can be made from amino acids. Also, there are counter-regulatory hormones in a normal person to make sure hypoglycemia doesn't occur (glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol...etc).

 

[Rendar5]

Just to make something clear in case anyone didn't realize this in asking/answering question (though I'm sure they did): Normal people do not go hypoglycemic under normal circumstances. Hypoglycemia is 99+% a result of taking exogenous insulin (either taking too much, or not taking in enough carbs). If you encounter a true hypoglycemic episode in a non-insulin taking person, you're looking at a Zebra.

 

[psychforme]

Amino acids are a very weak stimulus for insulin release, so you might have a very slight, transient (but likely unmeasurable) hypoglycemia. Correct me.

Looking at your sig your girlfriend is going to be an ugly fat skank 😀.

To the OP: amino acids also stimulate glucagon release.