Food Quote by Gary Taubes
““Though glucose is a primary fuel for the brain, it is not, however, the only fuel, and dietary carbohydrates are not the only source of that glucose. If the diet includes less than 130 grams of carbohydrates, the liver increases its synthesis of molecules called ketone bodies, and these supply the necessary fuel for the brain and central nervous system. If the diet includes no carbohydrates at all, ketone bodies supply three-quarters of the energy to the brain. The rest comes from glucose synthesized from the amino acids in protein, either from the diet or from the breakdown of muscle, and from a compound called glycerol that is released when triglycerides in the fat tissue are broken down into their component fatty acids. In these cases, the body is technically in a state called ketosis, and the diet is often referred to as a ketogenic diet.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Good Calories, Bad Calories, 2007
The brain can use ketones as fuel when carbs are low, allowing a ketogenic diet to sustain mental energy.
In simple terms: Ketones replace glucose when carbs are scarce.
Key Takeaway
Consider low‑carb diets for brain health.
Themes
nutrition
metabolism
brain fuel
dietary science
Mood
informative
analytical
neutral
Type
explanatory
educational
When to use this quote
- weight loss programs
- clinical nutrition
- athlete training
- medical advice
Key Concepts
ketosis
glucose substitution
energy metabolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does ketosis affect cognitive performance?
- What risks accompany sustained low‑carb intake?
A Different Perspective
Long‑term effects of ketosis are still debated.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
