Study shows a low-fat diet may hinder, not help, athletes

By LOIS BAKER

The athletes couldn't consume enough calories to meet the energy needs of their training on the low-fat diet.

<This is really poor methodology. Some of the athletes were simply not given enough to eat. Of course this would result in lower performances compared to a group that was given enough to eat.>


Results of the performance tests on the medium-fat diet compared to the low-fat diet showed that endurance time increased 14 percent while the decrease in force after the endurance run was significantly less-11 percent. While endurance time did not increase on the high-fat diet, lactate levels were lower, indicating more efficient energy metabolism.


<Increasing endurance time... is that a goal? Go slower, but longer? Lower lactate levels do not mean more efficient energy levels. It's very possible it means you went SLOWER. If you're not producing lactate then you will have a very hard time going reasonably fast.>

"The dietary intake of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and zinc were at or below the recommended levels on the low-fat diet. As individuals increased their total calories and dietary fat, levels of zinc, magnesium, calcium and vitamin E also increased,"

<This is stupid methodology. Simply have them take some vitamins like so many athletes do. >

The study was funded in part by an educational grant from Mars, Inc.

<NO surprise they got what they wanted.>

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