Scientific study of how a high-fat diet impairs Muscle Health

In a recent study at McMaster University, researchers were trying to determine the effect of a high-fat diet on muscle health.

The researchers found the high-fat diet resulted in

• insulin resistance,
• large increases in fat mass and
• weight gain.

But it also led to initial adaptations in the muscle. Initially the muscle responded positively by increasing the size of the muscle fibres but when the high-fat diet continued, the muscles appeared to become overwhelmed.

In all cases analyzed, a high-fat diet decreased the ability of skeletal muscle to use fat or glucose as fuel.

When the researchers examined the maximum effort the muscles could generate, they discovered no difference between the
high-fat diet group and the control group which was eating a diet significantly lower in fat. However, if the muscles were fatigued and then were required to work, the high-fat diet group didn’t recover as quickly as the control group.

What does this mean to an endurance athlete?  If you continually eat a high-fat diet, then your muscles become less able to use fat or glucose as fuel.  During an endurance event if your muscles are unable to efficiently burn glucose, they will turn to protein.  Your body works much harder to convert protein to fuel than it does carbohydrate (glucose).  You will be diverting energy needed to propel you on the bike to converting protein for fuel.

Read the entire article about how a high fat diet  effects muscle growth and function.

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