People looking for leaner muscle and higher energy levels should consider the Anabolic Diet developed by Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale for athletes and bodybuilders. The diet vastly reduces the amount of carbohydrates consumed each day and increases the amount of dietary fats and proteins. Depending on what fats and proteins are consumed, a person's cholesterol levels may be significantly affected by the diet. Speak with a health professional prior to starting a new diet program.
Diet Parameters
Anabolic diets reduce your amount of carbohydrates to less then 30 g per day. Protein and fats are the primary food source, with fruits and vegetables incorporated primarily to increase fiber consumption and aid in bowel movements. The diet is done in cycles of 10 to 28 days at a time. When the low-carb phase ends, one or two days of high-carbohydrate foods are eaten. According to Jen Heath at FigureAthlete.com, this is to regulate hormone production that can otherwise adversely affect metabolism.
Diet and Cholesterol
Not all cholesterol is bad. There are two types of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. The HDL is "good" cholesterol, aiding the transport of fat through the body, particularly away from the arteries and to the liver according to the American Heart Association. But LDL, the bad cholesterol, increases your risk of arterial plaque and heart disease. Dietary changes such as fat intake can have dramatic effects on both your HDL and LDL levels. The Mayo Clinic suggests that a "heart-healthy diet" limits saturated fats, consuming monounsaturated fats when necessary.
Anabolic Diet Good Fats
The Mayo Clinic recommends cooking and eating with certain types of fats such as olive oil, canola oil and margarine without trans fats. Low fat proteins include skim milk, egg white, fish and poultry without the skin. Soybeans and lean ground meats are also recommended. Those on an anabolic diet seeking to control LDL cholesterol levels should avoid butter, lard, cream sauces and bacon fat. Whole milk, liver and egg yolks are high in saturated fats. Hot dogs, marbled meats and fried foods should be avoided.
Benefits
The premise behind the Anabolic Diet is that the body metabolizes sugars first, then fats. By reducing carbohydrates, the body is left with fats to metabolize. As fats are burned, the body becomes leaner. Intermittent increases of carbohydrates increase insulin and glycogen levels to maintain energy, according to Heath.
Risks
Dramatic changes in diet affect hormone production and metabolic function. While the diet is designed to increase lean muscle and burn fat, there are reports of fatigue while on the diet. Ketosis, where fats do not break down completely, can lead to dizziness and dehydration, according to the Mayo Clinic. Reduced fiber may also lead to constipation. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new diet and stop the diet if you become sick or experience prolonged side-effects.
