How does carbo loading work?

patjunfa

Hi All

The idea as i understand it is, eat loads a complex carbs in the week or while b4. Where does the body store this? I thought anythin thats not goina b used in next number of hours is stored as fat?

--amadeus--

Big question - I'm technically working and about to go into an online meeting so I don't have time for a full answer but this looks (at a quick glance) like a good article

patjunfa

Thanks for that, good article, doesn't say how long glycogen is stored in the body. Its stored in the muscles, and in the liver?
Some swear by carbo loading: some other runners I know inc a doctor says it doesn't make sense.

--amadeus--

Glycogen is stored until used afaik (HM, where are you??!). Muscle glycogen is just for that muscle but liver glycogen can be released into teh bloodstream and is a freer resource.

I have to say I have never read a book or spoken to an experienced marathon runner who didn't advise carb loading. Most now say to avoid carb depletion which used to be a part of carb loading but the general consensus is that carb loading works and it is backed by scientific study. And unless the Dr is a marathon runner and / or a sports medicine specialist I wouldn't place any particular emphasis on his opinion.

Put it this way - it can't do any harm, there is lots of evidence it does good and all teh books say to do it. Why would you NOT do it?!

tunney

Carb loading can result in a sensation of bloating and "feeling fat". Not only do you store more glycogen you store more water too.

The depletion-load approach can be vastly more effective than the load only approach. However it can also be a complete and utter disaster for some people.

RacoonQueen

tunney wrote: »

Carb loading can result in a sensation of bloating and "feeling fat".

This is how I tend to feel with it, but seeing as I'm allowed to carbo load I'm finding it hard to resist over doing it (however I have recently enjoyed a large portion of new potatoes)

There's an issue with carbo loading as well that it can leave you constipated(depending on the type of carbs you consume of course), adding to the bloated feeling and thus having a negative effect on your performance on the day. I think it's trial and error really the only way to find out what works for you is to try different things I guess, what works for some doesn't work quite so well for others.

tunney

mp1972 wrote: »

This is how I tend to feel with it, but seeing as I'm allowed to carbo load I'm finding it hard to resist over doing it (however I have recently enjoyed a large portion of new potatoes)

Yeah - alot of people mistake "carbo loading" for "over eating" and "eating crap"

RacoonQueen

tunney wrote: »

Yeah - alot of people mistake "carbo loading" for "over eating" and "eating crap"

You mean we can't eat spoonfuls of sugar? :eek::(