Gluconeogenesis (GNG) is a metabolic process through which the body converts non-carbohydrates into glucose. Although you may have heard people mistakenly say that “carbohydrate is essential,” this isn’t strictly true. It is actually glucose that is essential, and a natural biological process allows us to make our own. For example, our liver can turn amino acids (protein)—among other things—into glucose. Since glucose is a necessary fuel for our body—particularly our brain—gluconeogenesis ensures we always have enough available. The process happens naturally when we haven’t eaten for a while; it occurs during sleep, and gluconeogenesis fuels glucose needs in the absence of carbohydrate.