The Anabolic Diet was created by Ontario-based physician Mauro Di Pasquale as an alternative to steroid or drug use. It is particularly popular among bodybuilders and professional athletes, though according to everydiet.org, it can benefit anyone who exercises. The diet is nearly devoid of carbohydrates, with the exception of green vegetables, consisting of high fat and high protein foods with weekly 48-hour intervals of high carbohydrate consumption. Di Pasquale considers the diet ideal for building muscle and burning fat. Like any nutrition regimen, the Anabolic Diet has benefits and side effects. Consult your doctor before changing your nutritional habits.
Diarrhea
While some dieters adjust easily to the Anabolic Diet, others experience side effects almost immediately. Diarrhea can be a common side effect in the first week. A high fat diet can soften your stool. While Di Pasquale's book mentions that loose stool is a sign that the diet is beginning to work, diarrhea can be very uncomfortable for some dieters.
Jen Heath, an NGA professional bodybuilder and ACSM certified personal trainer, recommends a fiber supplement if loose stool occurs. Heath explains that these initial side effects are not evidence of an overall intolerance to the diet and should quickly dissipate.
Lethargy
For some dieters, ongoing lethargy can be a side effect of the Anabolic Diet, even past the initial adaptation period. A low carbohydrate diet can be very draining. While the Anabolic Diet is supposed to shift the body's preference for energy from carbohydrates to fat after the initial phase, some dieters never adapt and are left in a state of constant ketosis with all the side effects of a low carbohydrate diet. In his book, Dr. Di Pasquale notes that most individuals can avoid ketosis by consuming the 30g of carbohydrates daily required by the Anabolic Diet.
Glycogen Depletion
The Anabolic Diet may provide ideal conditions for burning fat and gaining muscle but it is not ideal for those training for high intensity sports or attempting to build strength, according to sports performance expert Shannon Clark. Strength training relies heavily on glycogen stores, which are long chain carbohydrates stored in the liver. Glycogen stores are nearly depleted on the Anabolic Diet since the diet is nearly void of carbohydrates. Di Pasquale recognizes this issue in his book and has created modified versions of the Anabolic Diet specifically for athletes and powerlifters to overcome this problem. The Anabolic Diet is best for improving your body composition rather than improving your strength or skill.
References
- Every Diet: Anabolic Diet
- Stronglifts: Seven Things You'll Experience The First Weeks on The Anabolic Diet
- Figure Athlete: The Anabolic Diet: It's a Lifestyle by Jen Heath (Side Effects)
- Vanderbilt University: "The Low-Down on Low-Carbohydrate Diets" (ketosis)
- Bodybuilding.com: The Anabolic Diet Review (side effect: low strength)
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