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Okay, trying to expand my knowledge here, guys. Please help out.

I read that white blood cells require carbohydrate to operate. Does this mean that a low carb interpretation of the Paleo diet could hamper or otherwise cause problems with the body's immune response?

I'm looking for a scientific answer, if possible.

Thanks for your help in advance.

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2 Answers

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from http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/leukocytic_index.html

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Really interesting stuff Dean. Thank you so much for that. Do you know if this study is peer reviewed and if it appeared in a journal at all? Thanks again :-) – Nick Kinsella Dec 22 2011 at 13:16
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 All I know about the studies you can find in the references under the link. So the first study (2) appeared in the american journal of clinical nutrition. – Dean Dec 22 2011 at 13:42
wheres the test with non carbohydrate foods? How do we know this isn't beneficial? :) – cliff Dec 22 2011 at 13:45
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 I expected you to be all over this cliff, but compare starch to sugars for a moment. Why on earth would it be beneficial? Cognitive dissonance much? – Dean Dec 22 2011 at 14:06
I'm just saying all they are measuring is markers not actual real life immunity. How do I know that the cells don't react by super-compensating and becoming extremely immune? Its no cognitive dissonance its called being skeptical, which we should be considering this is one study measuring one variable. We also have no idea if other foods besides carbohydrates cause this effect because they have no studies for that. – cliff Dec 22 2011 at 15:18
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Most tissues in the body can get their energy from burning fat. Others can't burn fat but can burn ketones (a by-product of fat-burning). A small number of cells, mostly in the brain, can only get their energy from glucose. I don't know where white blood cells fit into this picture - perhaps another PH will know.

The liver will release glucose into the blood stream as and when it's needed. Unless you have problems with insulin sensitivity (or production), this is a well-controlled process in which the liver automatically maintains blood sugar levels within their correct range.

The liver can normally, if and when necessary, derive the necessary glucose from the breakdown of proteins and fats. So it's not strictly speaking essential to eat any carbohydrates in order to get the correct amount of glucose into the tissues.

Some people (like me) however don't like having to rely on breaking down fat and protein to get their glucose. In my case, it leads to excessive cortisol production. Instead, I aim to eat just enough starch (which is broken down by digestion into glucose) and/or glucose to meet the physiological requirement for glucose and maintain a bit of glycogen in reserve in the liver.

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How do you know it leads to excess cortisol production? – Ambimorph Dec 23 2011 at 4:07
An important function of cortisol is to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis. The hypothalamus, via the pituitary gland, signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol. Cortisol in turn is a signal to the liver to synthesise glucose. In my case, I end up with too much cortisol, and also too much glucose, as the cortisol reduces insulin sensitivity. I know this doesn't happen to everybody - I would prefer to reduce carbs lower if I could, as even the small-ish amount I eat is enough to support dysbiosis. – panteleimon Dec 23 2011 at 11:23
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 Even though cortisol increases gluconeogenesis, that doesn't imply gluconeogenesis requires cortisol. I've written extensively about that: paleohacks.com/questions/25449/… – Ambimorph Dec 23 2011 at 15:29
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 I'm not trying to be antagonistic, by the way. Sorry if it comes across that way. I'm just trying to find out if this actually happens to people, or if people are guessing this is what's happening to them based on the meme that's going around. If you actually measured and got this result, I'd be very interested. – Ambimorph Dec 23 2011 at 15:33
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 I see. Some people do report higher fasting BG with ketosis -- physiological insulin resistance. I wonder if that's what you're experiencing? How high is high? That's interesting about ALA, too. Congratulations on the the weight loss and lessening symptoms! – Ambimorph Dec 23 2011 at 23:19
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