Sustained Exposure to High Carbohydrate Availability Does Not Influence Iron-Regulatory Responses in Elite Endurance Athletes

A high carbohydrate diet of 10 g/kg body mass per day did not significantly affect iron regulation in elite race walkers.

• Serum ferritin decreased by 17-23% postintervention for both high carbohydrate and moderate carbohydrate diets.
• The moderate carbohydrate group showed a greater increase in interleukin-6 levels post-26 km walk compared to the high carbohydrate group at baseline.
• No significant differences were found in interleukin-6 or hepcidin responses between the two dietary groups after the intervention.
• Higher resting serum ferritin and warmer ambient temperatures were linked to increased hepcidin levels 3 hours after exercise.
• The findings suggest that high carbohydrate diets have limited impact on iron regulation during endurance activities.

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