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This has got to be the biggest controversy in modern bodybuilding. Bodybuilders
will say you've got to consume loads of protein to pack on quality muscle mass
and increase strength. Nutrition experts say that you must eat a high
carbohydrate diet, particularly complex carbs, to improve strength and size,
and say that a high protein is of no benefit.
Who is right? You could say both are right. Only a few studies have been carried
out looking into high protein intake and improvements in strength and muscle
size. The results are inconclusive. Study design was poor, often only having
very few subjects, who may be over-training or under-training. Other aspects of
diet were often overlooked and most were only carried out on novice weight
trainers who may not know how to train correctly. Also, the topic of anabolic
steroids is avoided which does increase demand for protein.
Protein
Muscle consists mainly of two proteins, actin and myosin. The turnover rate of
amino acids in these proteins is high, and increases upon stimulation such as
exercise. If the muscle is worked to maximum effort like during a correctly
executed bodybuilding workout, turnover is extremely high. Hence, there is a
large demand from the body's pool of amino acids. High carb fans say this
demand can be met by only a moderately higher than normal protein intake. High
protein fans argue very high levels of protein are needed to meet demand.
Bodybuilders who have plateaued in their gains for long periods, have
dramatically increased their protein intake and started making gains. Also
anabolic steroids increase the rate of protein synthesis within muscle cells,
further increasing demand for protein.
Carbohydrate
The argument for a high carb intake comes from the fact that we need energy to
fuel our workouts and to recuperate and grow. This is certainly the case for
athletes who may need as much as 60% of their energy intake from carbs. High
carb advocates also say that a "normal" intake of high protein foods should be
eaten, as starchy carbohydrate foods also contain some protein, which will
increase protein intake sufficiently. The type of carbs that should be consumed
is high fiber starchy ones like whole meal bread, brown rice, whole wheat
breakfast cereals, etc.
Using Both Protein and Carbs
Dietitians and nutritionists too often look at the percentage of total energy
intake for proteins and carbohydrates. It would be better to look at actual
intake levels. Both protein and carbs are needed in high amounts in order to
gain muscle for all the reasons discussed above.
The problem in giving general advice is that we are individuals and therefore
our requirements for different nutrients vary. If you are trying to gain muscle
at the same time as trying to lose body fat, your carbohydrate intake will need
to be reduced. If you are a beginner bodybuilder who is very skinny, your
protein intake will need to be high and you will need to consume high carb
foods regularly to gain weight.
Remember, you will not make good gains unless your protein intake is sufficient.
Any successful bodybuilder will tell you this, no matter what so-called experts
say and clinical trials show. A reasonably high intake of quality carbs is also
required to train on and for recuperation. Eat complex carbs regularly
throughout the day.
It is hard to give you figures of how much is required, as we are all so
different. But as a general rule for any bodybuilder who is trying to gain
muscle size and strength and does not wish to gain bodyfat, the following would
be a good guide:
Protein: 1.0-1.5g of protein per pound bodyweight, depending on whether you use
anabolic steroids. The intake must be staggered throughout the day at regular
intervals.
Carbohydrate: Approximately 2g per pound bodyweight, and eat regularly through
the day. As well as the above, remember to eat a balanced healthy diet, which
is reasonably low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables.
Jeffrey Bedeaux
Your guide to building muscle and getting fit.http://www.dr-natural-bodybuilding.com
Over
the past 16 years I have read 100's of magazines, almost 100 books,
attended about a dozen seminars and consumed any other type of
information on the topic of bodybuilding to advance my knowledge in
this area. I also have a Bachelors of Science degree in Biochemistry
with minors in Chemistry and Microbiology from Colorado State
University, 1998.
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