First I want to apologize, I am sure this question was answered hundreds of times, but It several searches and didn’t find any, my question is should I count Glycerine towards carbohydrates if I am following massive eating principles, I know Gycerine is not a carbohydrate according to FDA but if I were to include a Low carb bar which contains Glycerine, in a fat + protein meal would that be okay?
Actually this has been asked a ton of times but I have yet to read a clear cut final answer on it. So which is it can we or cant we use the low carb (though high glycerine) protein bars as part of a protein/fat meal?
When attempting to make a high protein bar it is necessary to incorporate something that will keep the bars soft and pliable (read chewable) so they do not become a protein brick necessitating a trip to the local dentist. Glycerine is something companies seem to be using quite a bit. Glycerine and glycerol are one in the same and represent the chemical backbone to which one, two, or three fatty acid side chains are attached to create what we commonly know as fat. Glycerine is generally used to make a bar stay soft, in the face of ever increasing amounts of protein, by trapping water within the bar. The government (FDA) clearly states in the
Code of Federal Regulations that glycerine is to be listed as a carbohydrate by “difference”. The government does this in order to classify glycerine under one of the three macronutrient categories, fat, carb, or protein. Glycerine is not fat since it has no fatty acids. Glycerine is not a protein since it has no amine group (nitrogen containing portion). The only category left is carbohydrates. Look at the label of your favorite high protein low carb bar. Most of them will not be listing glycerine as a carbohydrate. If a company does not list it as a macronutrient then how can a consumer keep track of how much glycerine they are actually getting. Well first we must ask about the fate of glycerine metabolically. Hopefully they are counting the 4.32 calories/g within the total calories stated on the label.
Recent research has shown that glycerine does not significantly elevate blood insulin levels and only minimally elevates blood sugar levels. Most interesting is that some of this research was done following a 36 hour fast. If glycerine really was gluconeogenic you would think that blood glucose levels would have increased when glycerine was administered after the fast. Fasting for 36 hours would lower the body’s glycogen stores (as well as make you pretty cranky and hungry). Therefore, since glycerine did not affect blood glucose or insulin levels it is difficult to conclude that glycerine is a carbohydrate. The research that is available is not conclusive with regard to the gluconeogenic properties of glycerine.
By definition, glycerine is a trihydric alcohol and is the building block of all plant oils and nearly all animal fats. Glycerine can be incorporated into fat production by providing the backbone for fatty acids to attach onto and create what we know as fat. Another possible destination within the body is that glycerine can become part of phospoglycerides (cell membrane compounds). Orally administered glycerine has also been found in the urine meaning that some of it is actually excreted without being utilized. OK, so glycerine can be a carb on occasion, a fat precursor on occasion, a phosphoglyceride precursor on occasion, and it can simply pass through the body unused. Wow, that is a lot of possibilities for one compound. Glycerine does have a few other interesting properties worth noting.
When administered orally, glycerine has a hydrating/dehydrating effect.
This is based on the fact that glycerine has an ability to hold onto water. Glycerine’s water binding ability helps keep bars soft and also may be of benefit to endurance athletes and bodybuilders alike. Endurance athletes can utilize glycerine in conjunction with extra water prior to an event in order to support hydration and therefore enhance performance.
i have more…just ask.
popeye
Thanks popeye that was a lot of info but you far from answered the question asked. Without all the extra stuff in a simple YES/NO would it work to use glycerine containing protein bars as a Fat/protein meal if following JMB guidlines? Thanks
Well, if popeye’s study is right, and glycerine doesn’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels much after a fast, then you should be fine using it in a p/f meal. If that study is wrong, then you shouldn’t do that. Give it a whirl, see how it works. - PJ
does glycerol loadiing make your muscles look fuller if so for how long and how soon after ingestion in what dose
YES.
popeye
The recommended dosage for accomplishing superhydration range varies and each individual should experiment sufficiently prior to use during competition. For reference, start with approximately 1-gram glycerine per kilogram body weight along with an additional 1.5L-2.0L of water, consumed 1-4 hours prior to the event. Interestingly bodybuilders might consider taking glycerine prior to their stage appearance in lower dosages without consuming the additional water to “dry out”. Leaving the water out of the equation may cause a shift of existing body water temporarily out of the tissues and into the blood. While this may work to obtain the shrink wrapped look, you should definitely test it out prior to the day of the show to see how you react. Glycerine supplementation will not help those who have failed to diet properly and are covered by a small layer of blubber.
Proper precaution should be taken if you are going to utilize glycerine. Notify someone you know and trust that is going to attend the show so they can help you if you begin to cramp up. Enough digression back to the subject.
As stated, bars are a compromise, and in the process of that give and take, companies must use things like glycerine to make their product palatable.
Is the consuming of glycerine a negative thing? No, not really. However, for those of you attempting to monitor your daily nutrient intake, you should be aware of how glycerol can affect your individual body chemistry and most importantly your goals. Consuming a bar once in a while when you are in a hurry is certainly preferential to say a Big Mac, but bars are by no means equivalent to a good meal replacement powder or a well balanced meal of (oh my!) real food.
these are not my (popeye’s) words. they belong to Alan Shugarman, M.S., R.D. who has been involved in the health and fitness industry for the past ten years. Originally from California, he owned a supplement wholesale business for six years. He acquired his Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology with a minor in Nutrition and subsequently obtained a Masters of Science in Foods and Nutrition Science. Along with his Masters, Alan is also a Registered Dietitian through the American Dietetic Association.
i tried posting his link here but we can’t post links here maybe?? the message did not get accepted.
i am a lurker here at t-mag. message back if we can post links or email address. i will post my email then and provide.popeye