I finally got my Bernstein book in the mail yesterday and so am excited to start reading, but have to wait owing to some work deadlines. To that end I wanted to ask for feedback on my recent thoughts from those that have done extensive reading or from experience.
The issue is with protein in the diet, and I know that LCHF followers (and I am now one myself), seem to strongly advocate limiting protein. I am now doing this. My reason was because amino acids from the protein meal are known to stimulate glucagon secretion from the pancreatic alpha cells, and my understanding is that whether the liver stores glucose or makes it, is determined by the insulin/glucagon(+epinephrine) ratio. Since the liver already doesn't "see" the insulin, glucagon wins and the liver produces glucose (via gluconeogenesis). If a type 2 still has beta-cell function and there is some insulin, then taking in protein would really contribute to the "resistance" by raising the bar. Amino acids trigger both insulin and glucagon secretion, but the effect on glucagon is huge. With this in mind, I'm thinking now that protein could be bad, particularly later at night. At least it would make sense to eat the required protein in small amounts. I've stopped taking protein before bed time and although only a few days, it seems that my fbg is somewhat lower. Interestingly, I came across a few papers where glucagon receptor antagonists work to stabilize bg in preclinical models, suggesting that the reasoning could be valid.
Has anyone seen this themselves? meaning decrease protein and see a good effect.
The issue is with protein in the diet, and I know that LCHF followers (and I am now one myself), seem to strongly advocate limiting protein. I am now doing this. My reason was because amino acids from the protein meal are known to stimulate glucagon secretion from the pancreatic alpha cells, and my understanding is that whether the liver stores glucose or makes it, is determined by the insulin/glucagon(+epinephrine) ratio. Since the liver already doesn't "see" the insulin, glucagon wins and the liver produces glucose (via gluconeogenesis). If a type 2 still has beta-cell function and there is some insulin, then taking in protein would really contribute to the "resistance" by raising the bar. Amino acids trigger both insulin and glucagon secretion, but the effect on glucagon is huge. With this in mind, I'm thinking now that protein could be bad, particularly later at night. At least it would make sense to eat the required protein in small amounts. I've stopped taking protein before bed time and although only a few days, it seems that my fbg is somewhat lower. Interestingly, I came across a few papers where glucagon receptor antagonists work to stabilize bg in preclinical models, suggesting that the reasoning could be valid.
Has anyone seen this themselves? meaning decrease protein and see a good effect.