Animal proteins (read beef steaks) were believed to be the best diet for athletes in the past. Nowadays, plant-based carbohydrates (read bowl of pasta) are default diet of any marathon runners. History of carb-loading The winner of both of those Boston marathon was Clarence DeMar, who won Boston marathon seven times. We don’t know if DeMar participated in previously mentioned medical studies done in the Boston Marathon. However, he is widely believed to be one of the first runners, who unwittingly practiced carb-loading diet that included a dozen oranges,¼ pound of pine nuts, and 1 pound of caramels.
Carb-loading Recommendations According to the International Olympic Committee, optimal level of recommended carbohydrates for an athlete is ¾ to 1 pound everyday per 100 lb of body weight. A high carbohydrate diet usually means more than two-third of energy for body are obtained from carbohydrates. Is carbohydrate an essential nutrient? “The essential nutrients for humans are water, essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine), essential fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic acids), vitamins (ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B-12), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron), trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, and chromium), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), ultra-trace minerals, and source of energy (carbohydrate, fat, or protein).” In theory, carbohydrate consumption is not required by humans. However, in its absence fats are broken down to supply energy into glycerol (instead of glycogen) and ketone bodies as source of energy for the central nervous system. This results in ketosis, often detected as volatile fruity smelling acetones in the breath and urine. Prolonged ketosis may lead to ketoacidosis, where body accumulates keto-acids leading to acidification blood (which is not healthy). Ketosis can be prevented by a daily intake of at least 2 ounces for adult. However, practically the minimal carb intake is recommended at ⅓ lb per day. Beside bread, pasta and rice, carbohydrate-rich foods include in fruits, sweets, beans, potatoes, etc. Why carb-loading works? For the prolonged physical activities (marathon), the mechanism behind performance improvement is probably due to the maintenance of blood sugar levels by carbohydrate oxidation. The mechanism behind the carbohydrate intake and performance enhancement during high intensity exercise (sprint run) is unclear.5 Initially, low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) were suspect as cause of development of fatigue. However in 1980s, researchers could not clearly link hypoglycemia with fatigue. Nevertheless, benefits of carb-loading on endurance were consistently demonstrated. How should athletes carb-load? The combinations of easily absorbed form of carbohydrate in intestine, such as glucose and fructose, are shown to be the most effective form of “carb-loading”. The extra carb should give adequate energy during the exercise without being burden to the stomach – the type of carb doesn’t matter much. The most importantly, athletes should carb-load on their favorite pre-competition carbohydrate meal, be it their grandma’s homemade pasta or bowl of rice that remind them of home.
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