Sleep Low Training

Question 1

Could consuming suboptimal protein limit the adaptations to low CHO availability training?

Answer 1

YES

Suboptimal protein intake can hinder muscle recovery, increase muscle breakdown, and limit the adaptations to low-CHO training. For athletes aiming to maximize the benefits of low-carbohydrate training, it’s crucial to consume adequate protein to support recovery and muscle preservation.

Athletes on low glycogen training must consume ~1.6-2.0 g/kg/d of protein.

Question 2

Does fasted training make sense for the ‘Paleo-Athletes’?

Answer 2

Our ancestors were often in a state of fasting due to the scarcity of food. Early humans would go through periods of hunting and gathering, often not eating frequently. The body was adapted to using fat stores for energy during these fasting periods. This is important because, during times of food scarcity, humans needed to rely on fat metabolism rather than carbohydrates, especially for prolonged periods of physical activity like hunting.

Fasted training works by encouraging the body to use fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. For the Paleo athlete, this can be beneficial because it mimics how humans would have burned fat stores during periods when food was not readily available. Training in a fasted state encourages the body to become more efficient at tapping into these fat stores, which could enhance endurance, fat-burning potential, and metabolic flexibility.