Effects of Ketogenic Diet in Body Builders

Effects of Two Months of Ketogenic Diet on Body Composition, Muscle Strength and Blood Parameters in Competitive Natural Body Builders

the study sought to investigate the influence of 8 weeks of a very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet on body composition, muscle strength, muscle area and blood parameters in competitive natural body builders.

nineteen natural body builders were randomly assigned to a ketogenic diet (KD) group or to a normal diet group (ND) with a traditional meal pattern. The two diets were isocaloric and included the same amount of protein per kg of body weight; but differed in the distribution of fats and carbohydrates; the latter were kept below 5% daily (less than 50g/day) in the KD group while represented 55% of the caloric intake in the WD group During the experimental period, training loads were similar in the two groups. Athletes were tested before and after 8 weeks of the intervention. Body composition , basal metabolism, muscle strength and blood parameters were measured.

Inclusion Criteria:

• at least 5 years of training experiences
• competing in recognized body building category

Exclusion Criteria:

• adherence to special diets
• use of nutritional supplements (except a daily multivitamin-mineral and/or protein supplement)
• use of medications (steroids)
• diabetes or metabolic diseases