Question

An athlete has recently changed his diet to include a large amount of protein in order to increase muscle mass. Since this change, he reports decreased energy during the day and poor performance at practice. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

Answer 1

Answer:

The use of proteins as a means to give the body energy, build muscle mass, and take away fat grams, has been in use now for quite some time. The problem with this system is that proteins are not meant to be energy sources, but rather building blocks, and even though the body can use them and transform them into glucose sources when forced due to lack of actual carbs and fat, the process takes a lot of energy from the body itself so that the chemical reactions do in fact provide ATP.

As such it is important to tell anyone who decides to take on a hyper-proteic diet, that during the first few days, even weeks, while the body is able to adjust to the absence of proper energy materials, such as carbs and fat, and use its energy to be able to properly transform proteins into energy providers, instead of simple muscle builders, he will feel a lack of energy, as the body will not be able to produce as much ATP as it did with carbs and fats. Also, the body will need any available energy to produce the chemical reactions that will ensure energy production from proteins. Thus, while the person is digesting protein-rich foods, the body´s temperature will rise, and the person may feel warm, but when the process is done, they may feel a lowering in temperature, especially in the extremeties.