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THOUGH THE “KETO” DIET MAY PROVE EFFECTIVE IN THE SHORT TERM, SUSTAINING THIS APPROACH IS LIKELY NOT FEASIBLE OVER THE LONG TERM.
While low carb eating plans may work for some people, a meal plan which emphasizes higher complex carbohydrates and proteins, and moderate fats, has been proven by many an athlete to be very effective, and most importantly, sustainable.
From Arnold to Ronnie, to modern day giants such as Phil Heath and Ben Pakulski, the standard bodybuilding diet comprised of carbs, proteins and fats in a typical 45:35:20 ratio (though slight modifications can be made based on individual circumstances) has stood the test of time. The great six-time Olympia winner Dorian Yates noted in the extensive nutritional diaries he kept that:
THE MORE HE LOWERED HIS CARBS, THE WEAKER HE BECAME, THE WORSE HIS RECOVERY FROM EXERCISE WAS, AND THE MORE MUSCLE SIZE HE LOST.
He reported to FLEX Magazine that upon trying the ketogenic diet his strength “went to hell” and, consequently, he never again tried a low carb approach. Ever-the rationalist, Yates experimented with carb levels until he found the amount that worked best for him. His diet was big on this energy macronutrient. In describing his low carb experimentation, Yates stated, “I felt like dog shit – I couldn’t train hard, and I couldn’t get a pump.” Enough said.
Low strength levels among those utilizing low carb plans are a commonly reported problem – this on its own should be enough to dissuade most athletes from following a low carb diet. As the muscles’ most readily useable and efficient fuel source, carbs, in complex form primarily, are of fundamental importance when training with full force. By filling our muscles with glycogen, converted from blood glucose – itself converted from carbohydrates – the ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate; as a transporter of chemical energy within cells for metabolic purposes it could be considered the fuel which powers muscular contraction) production process is pulled off without a hitch. As a consequence, strength levels increase and muscular endurance is optimal. Lifters who have replaced carbs with fats report differing results; for some, the process works to a certain point, while others begin to resemble the nutrient they have prioritized in their diet. Ask anyone who has restricted their carbs and you will hear of low training energy and a flat appearance. But low strength and a lack of muscular fullness is not the only potential problem facing those whose carbohydrate intake is minimal at best.
BECAUSE CARBS REPLENISH MUSCLE GLYCOGEN AND MUSCLE GLYCOGEN IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR POWERING HARD TRAINING SESSIONS AND FACILITATING OPTIMAL RECOVERY FOLLOWING INTENSIVE WORKOUTS, MANY DEPEND UPON A SUFFICIENT CARB INTAKE FOR BODYBUILDING SUCCESS.
Further findings demonstrated that a biochemical marker of muscle damage, LDH, was observed, in significant quantities, in the water group compared to the carb group. An increase in plasma DNA levels accompanied the elevated LDH, supporting the belief that carbohydrate intake protects against exercise-induced tissue damage.
As a major component of a well-balanced nutrition plan, carbohydrates:
Though the jury is still out on whether a high fat, low carb regime will enhance muscle size and strength for all who try it, carbohydrates have for many decades been known for their protein sparing effect. The more carbs we have on board, the less likely it is that protein will be converted into carbohydrates (gluconeogenesis) to fuel physical and mental processes.
Carbohydrates provide fuel for our brain; without enough carbs of the right kind (over-refined simple sugars can deplete energy), we feel groggy and tired. As bodybuilders, it is especially important that we consume sufficient carbs, not only to support our physical efforts in the gym but also to encourage the mental arousal which enables laser-like focus and intense concentration when hauling the iron.
FOLLOWING A DIET PLAN WITH ROUGHLY 45% CARBS WILL ENABLE US TO MAINTAIN A LOW FAT EATING PLAN WITHOUT BINGING ON THE WRONG FOODS.
The problem with high fat diet plans is that the body is so conditioned to eating carbs for energy that it is extremely hard to eliminate them entirely; eating the high saturated fat and cholesterol laden foods included in ketogenic diets, without the carbs which so often accompany such foods, is not sustainable for many. Therefore, as someone looking to put on (and keep) lean muscle, it’s probably best to follow the time-tested 45:35:20 approach.
In short – bro-science. The popularity of low carb diets has soared in recent years, in fact, if you ask the average gym trainee for their advice on how best to drop stored body fat, they’re likely to tell you to cut the carbs. Actually, they’re partly correct, but let’s be more exact. You want to cut out the bad carbs, and consume the right carbs at the right time in the proper amounts. Increase the wrong carbs, at the wrong time, in the wrong amounts, and it’s absolutely true, your body fat will increase.
3 to 4 weeks of a ketogenic diet with a high-calorie meal once per week is a strategy that has been very effective. If you need to “kickstart” a diet, a short stint of keto can be a good way to initiate fat loss and reduce any gut flora issues that can be an issue when dieting. As mentioned above, training intensity and motivation will drop off fast the longer you stay in a ketogenic state, but with periodic cheat meals, or “refeeds” as they are sometimes called will jumpstart your metabolism and let you keep training. In addition, a short-term cyclical ketogenic diet will have the effect of increasing insulin sensitivity that will serve your more effective and sensible balanced carb/protein/fat diet very well.
To benefit from carbohydrate consumption, here are some suggestions:
While strategically consuming simple carbs immediately post-workout may help to elevate performance and enhance muscle growth, there are those (cakes, cookies, sweets, donuts, etc.) which will confer little, if any, benefit. These, from a health standpoint, are nutritionally inert carbs and will only serve to strip valuable nutrients from your body as they migrate to your waistline.
Consuming a good mix of complex and fibrous carbs is not only a more nutritionally beneficial practice, but will ensure greater metabolic efficiency. Fibrous carbs like broccoli and asparagus utilize significant energy to process, and there is a lower likelihood that they will be stored as fat. Too many simple sugars, for example honey, fruit and juice, will promote excessive insulin release, while the complex variety will be released slowly to sustain human activity while keeping blood sugar at lower levels. More carb sources will also ensure greater variety to encourage adherence to your eating plan. If you don’t like what you’re eating, it’s hard to stick to a plan.
SUPPLEMENTS COMPOSED OF GLUCOSE OR GLUCOSE POLYMERS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR REPLENISHMENT OF MUSCLE GLYCOGEN, WHEREAS FRUCTOSE IS MOST BENEFICIAL FOR THE REPLENISHMENT OF LIVER GLYCOGEN.Check out KRUSH LOADED, a 5 carb blend post-workout beverage (with a 5 g dose of creatine), ideally paired with ISOFLEX to further increase protein synthesis.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that humans consume 45% – 65% of their daily calories in the form of carbs (158 g – 228 g per 1,400 daily calories consumed), a hard training bodybuilder will need more: 258 g – 374 g per 2,300 daily calories (when aiming to pack on size in the off-season, 400+ per day may be needed). To ensure quality muscle gains are achieved, and fat accumulation is kept to a minimum, gauge your carb consumption (in line with the above recommendations) and if necessary reduce them by 30 g until the desired range is achieved.
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