Summary:
In elite male endurance athletes, carbohydrate restriction with high-fat intake (LCHF) significantly increased perturbations in lipid-based metabolic pathways compared to short-term low energy availability (LEA) and high carbohydrate/high energy intake (HCHO), though it was associated with potential elevations of acylcarnitine intermediates and altered fatty acid metabolism.
| PICO | Description |
|---|---|
| Population | Elite male endurance athletes participating in a 5-day controlled dietary trial. |
| Intervention | Low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet with matched energy content. |
| Comparison | Low energy availability (LEA: energy-restricted, CHO-reduced) and high energy-high carbohydrate (HCHO) conditions. |
| Outcome | The LCHF group exhibited pronounced metabolic shifts post-exercise, including elevations in fatty acyls, hydroxy acids, dicarboxylic acids, and acylcarnitines. These responses were notably more significant than those seen in LEA or HCHO, suggesting that CHO restriction with high fat intake has greater impact on lipid metabolism during prolonged endurance exercise. |
Source: Dunlop, Kyle A., et al. “Carbohydrate restriction drives greater perturbations in circulating metabolites than low energy availability in elite male athletes.” Read article here.
