Something related to competitive bodybuilders which are restricting carbs and perhaps also what they think is "saturated" fat prior to competition. They are "stressing" their bodies to a great extent by the training regime. Intererstingly their cholesterol is not high at all:
J Am Coll Nutr. 1990 Apr;9(2):136-42.
Nutrient intake, body fat, and lipid profiles of competitive male and female bodybuilders.
Bazzarre TL, Kleiner SM, Litchford MD. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Greensboro 27412-5001.
The purpose of this research was to measure nutrient intake, body fat, [estimated from seven skinfolds: chest, axilla, triceps, subscapular, abdominal, suprailiac, and thigh (Jackson and Pollock, 1985)], total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2-C, and HDL3-C of 19 male and 8 female bodybuilders competing in the National Physique Committee's USA Bodybuilding Championships (Raleigh, NC, April 1988). Casual blood samples and anthropometric data were collected 18 hours prior to competition, whereas 7-day diet records were completed 1 week prior to competition. Only 11 males and 2 females provided blood samples. Competitors were not tested for steroid use. These data are unique because the measurements were collected on site at the competition. Data are presented as means and standard deviations. Estimated body fat for males (6.0 +/- 1.8%) and females (9.8 +/- 1.5%) was quite low. Blood lipids (mg%) for males (TC = 187 +/- 11, HDL-C = 37 +/- 6, HDL2-C = 13 +/- 4, and HDL3-C = 24 +/- 4) were not indicative of increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Data for the 2 females (TC = 190, 205; HDL-C = 56, 56; HDL2-C = 22, 8; and HDL3-C = 34, 48) could only be evaluated on an individual basis. Body fat was significantly correlated with HDL-C (r = 0.63; p = 0.04) and HDL3-C (r = 0.65; p = 0.03), but not TC nor HDL2-C. Of the dietary variables, only saturated fat was significantly correlated with HDL2-C (r = 0.60; p = 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID: 2338462
J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1998 Sep;38(3):245-52.
Effect of a precompetition bodybuilding diet and training regimen on body composition and blood chemistry.
Too D, Wakayama EJ, Locati LL, Landwer GE. Department of Physical Education and Sport, State University New York, Brockport 14420-2989, USA.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to document the effect of a 10-wk precompetition bodybuilding diet and training, on blood chemistry and body composition. PARTICIPANT: One adult male, steroid and drug free, preparing for a first competition. MEASURES: Average daily dietary intake consisted of 2263 calories (71% protein, 16% carbohydrate, 13% fats), with a protein intake of 5.0 gm.kg-1 body mass (BM). Initial body weight of 76.3 kgf (16% body fat) decreased to 63.4 kgf (4.4% body fat). Blood samples for electrolytes, TP, Alb, bilirubin, LDL-C, TG, UA, and amylase were normal. HDL-C levels increased from 65 to 89 mg.dL-1. RESULTS: Decreased glucose levels (< 50 mg.dL-1), indicated hypoglycemia. Increased Mg, LD, and CK levels indicated intense training. Increased inorganic phosphorus from 3.7 to 8.2 mg.dL-1 suggested lactic acidosis. Increased BUN levels from 16 to 53 mg.dL-1 and creatinine from 1.1 to 1.8 mg.dL-1 may be attributed to a high protein diet. However, heart muscle enzyme (CK-MB) was not elevated. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial changes in body composition and blood chemistry suggest adequate nutrition be ensured, and caution taken to avoid excessive physiologic stresses on the body during precompetition diet and training. PMID: 9830833
BTW at the time of my last cholesterol measurement I was trying a Tribulus terrestris supplement which is supposed to raise testosterone and lower TC. I am neither competitive bodybuilder (perhaps recreational we can say) nor restricting carbs or saturated fat in any way. |