Low Carb Diet and Exercise

Carbs are used to fuel metabolic cell activity

It is widely understood that the body uses three major macromolecules to power itself. Carbohydrate is used to fuel metabolic activity in the cells, fats provide hormonal foundation for cells and proteins rebuild and repair cells.

How does a low carb diet affect the body?

When the balance between these macromolecules is changed, the human body is able to adjust and use all three in order to fuel muscle use and cellular activity.

During exercise or for any metabolic activity that occurs in the human body there are a series of chemical and electrical reactions that take place. 

In order for these reactions to occur a fuel or energy is required, this energy comes in the form of adenosine triphosphate or ATP.

During anaerobic activity such as resistance training or the beginning stages of an aerobic workout, the primary source of ATP comes from glycogen (the stored form of glucose).

Gluconegenesis

When on a low carbohydrate diet, the human body is able to fuel activity and produce energy through a process known as gluconegenesis in which fatty acids stored in fat cells are released into the blood and developed by the liver into glucose which can then be used to fuel activity.

Glycogenesis

However this process is less efficient compared to glycogenesis and can therefore theoretically lead to muscle failure and poor athletic performance. Whilst for a weight loss program a combination of a low carbohydrate diet and exercise may be effective, they may not be ideal for improving muscle power or anaerobic fitness.

However, this is all down to the individual and the quality of their diet.