re -
http://www.sun.ac.za/med_physbio/me...ept/ketosis.htm
With all due respect to the author of the original text .. the information on that page is dealing specifically with
post-exercise ketosis (induced by long-distance running then fasting for an additional 6 hrs), when stores of liver glycogen have been depleted and no nutrition is consumed except alcohol. There's a big difference from benign dietary ketosis (BDK) where liver glycogen has been maintained through adequate dietary intake.
Yes, alcohol inhibits gluconeogenesis in the liver .. but not 100%, as Prof. Koeslag states. A
1998 study from Berkley showed that consuming alcohol after a 12-hr fast reduced liver gluconeogenesis by 45%, as compared to the control subjects who also fasted but consumed no alcohol. In addition ... although the subjects consumed the alcohol fairly quickly (one fl. oz (30 ml) vodka in a sugar-free beverage every 30 minutes x 4) ..
their blood sugar levels did not drop significantly.
Severe alcoholic hypoglycemia in the average person usually doesn't happen unless large amounts of alcohol are consumed quickly, on an empty stomach .. and typically there is some liver disease present as well.
Quote:
Worse still, the alcohol also stops ketone body production, thus leaving the brain entirely without fuel.
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This is erroneous. Alcohol does not stop ketone production; in fact ketones are a by-product of alcohol metabolism. The process to make ketones from alcohol (specifically acetoacetate) is simpler than making them from fatty acids .. thus the liver will use the alcohol first in preference. Thus, fat-burning will be delayed as long as there's alcohol in the system, but it will not stop ketone production.
The best advice to be gleaned from this article is ... NEVER drink alcohol after long-distance running or cycling followed by a long period of fasting
.. For the average Joe and Josephine LowCarber ... make sure you're eating adequate protein and don't skip meals. If you're going to be drinking, eat some protein before and during. And stay well-hydrated ... alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or sparkling water, or make spritzers.
And as always, moderation is key.
Doreen