Turning the Tables on Sports Nutrition

For many years, it was common knowledge that endurance athletes needed to “carb load” before a big event. The goal was to increase carbohydrate consumption in order to boost energy levels for the competition. So, before a competition, athletes often loaded up with a big bowl of pasta or another high carb meal of their choice.

But, a new study has shown that a high carb diet might not be the best way for athletes to change their body composition.  In fact, it was found that the highest fat-burning rates occurred in athletes who utilized a low carb, high protein diet.  The results were astounding, especially because it was estimated that the low carb athletes burned more than twice the amount of body fat compared with high carb athletes.

Research for Sports Nutrition

These findings were discovered in a research study at Ohio State University.  The researchers observed the fat-burning of endurance athletes by having them run on a treadmill for three hours.  It was found that the peak of fat burning and the overall amount of fat burning was optimal when an athlete was following a low carb diet.

The fat burning rates were measured by testing gas exchange while the athlete was working out.  As a result, maximum oxygen levels could be measured, which gave insight to the amount of fat that was burned during the physical exertion.

Shifting the Paradigm

Discovering the fat-burning that is possible with a low carb diet has produced evidence that shifts the paradigms that have been held on to for so long.  People are starting to understand that they’ve had it backwards for many years!

Instead of simply sticking with age-old nutrition assumptions, some endurance athletes are choosing to change their dietary choices.  As a result, people are experiencing improved body fat percentages by cutting the carbs and focusing on high quality protein and fat instead.

Bottomline:

The being said, low carb athletes are by far the minority.  Many endurance athletes are skeptical.  Many don’t believe that a low carb diet can provide them with enough energy to sustain their rigorous training and keeping up their performance.

It’s not surprising though… since most athletes will have to go through a long adaptation period and completely changing their training regimen.  It’s a full commitment most aren’t willing to take on.

But for those that have taken the leap of faith, the change is well worth it.

Athletes who are on a low carb diet don’t experience the energy highs and lows that carb dependent athletes do since the energy source is constant.

Low carb endurance athletes also don’t experience the dreaded “bonking” (which when the body literally shuts down because of complete energy depletion) because they’ve been able to tap into an almost endless supply of energy… their body fat.

Keep in mind that whether you’re an endurance athlete or not, the benefits are the same when it comes to burning fat.  Being on a low carb diet shifts your body’s primary energy source from glucose to fat, which turns you into an efficient body-fat burner and as a result makes getting lean and fit effortless.