Does your brain need carbs?

Recently, there's been a surge in fitness influencers claiming that your body, especially your brain, needs carbs to function properly. While there's some truth to this, it's also somewhat misleading. Let's dive into the science behind brain energy and carbohydrates.

It's true that your brain is an energy-hungry organ, consuming approximately 20% of your total daily energy. However, it's important to understand that your brain doesn't directly use carbohydrates. Instead, your body breaks down carbs into glucose, which the brain then uses for energy. When glucose is available, your brain and body will indeed run primarily on this fuel source.

But what happens when you stop eating carbohydrates and your body lacks glucose?

Contrary to popular belief, your body has a remarkable ability to adapt. When glucose isn't readily available, your body switches gears and begins converting fat into ketones for energy. Your brain can use these ketones for about 70% of its energy needs. The remaining 30% still requires glucose, but don't worry – your body has a solution for this too.

Your liver, the unsung hero in this process, can produce glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. It can convert amino acids from protein or even break down body fat to create the small amount of glucose your brain still needs. This allows your brain to function efficiently on a combination of ketones and glucose, even in the absence of dietary carbohydrates.

You may have heard that cutting carbs causes your body to "eat your muscles" for energy. While this can happen in extreme cases, it's typically only a concern when you're not consuming enough protein and fats in your diet.

In conclusion, the idea that you need carbs for brain function is a bit of a myth. While carbohydrates are one way to fuel your brain, they're not the only way, nor are they necessary for survival or optimal functioning. Many people experience various benefits from reducing their carbohydrate intake.

Personally, I advocate for a low-carb lifestyle because I believe it offers numerous health benefits. However, the ideal carbohydrate intake varies from person to person. If you're interested in exploring how a low-carb diet might benefit you, I'd be happy to discuss this further. Feel free to reach out and schedule a consultation to see if working together could help you achieve your health and fitness goals.