Low-Carbohydrate-High-Fat Diet: Can it Help Exercise Performance?

May 5, 2017Journal of human kinetics

Can a Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet Improve Exercise Performance?

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Abstract

LCHF-adapted endurance athletes can achieve a maximal fat oxidation rate of approximately 1.5 g/min.

  • Long-term LCHF dietary intake may help maintain lean body mass while controlling body weight and fat mass in athletes.
  • LCHF diets are associated with a lower carbohydrate oxidation rate compared to high-carbohydrate-low-fat diets, while muscle glycogen content and resynthesis rates remain similar.
  • Improved fat oxidation rates and glycogen sparing effects may enhance performance in ultra-endurance events.
  • Metabolic changes from LCHF diets may prevent performance decline during the later stages of repeated high-intensity movements.
  • Elevated blood levels of non-esterified fatty acids and ammonia during exercise after LCHF diets may contribute to early .
  • Several months of adaptation to a appear necessary for metabolic changes and muscle glycogen restoration.

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Key numbers

1.5 g/min
Maximal Fat Oxidation Rate Increase
Achieved by LCHF-adapted athletes at about 70% VO2max.
5.1 mg/kg/min
Carbohydrate Oxidation Rate Decrease
Observed after 4 weeks on a in well-trained cyclists.

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