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  Discussion on Research Summary: Dietary Fat and Energy Metabolism
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Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 7:52 am:

And the research keeps coming about the benefits of fat in the diet. Cellular metabolism requires energy and though breaking down carbohydrate is the main path there are many paths by which energy can be produced. During prolonged exercise the muscle's cells energy machinery can deplete needed substrates or become clogged up with metabolic break down products slowing energy production. Therefore for athletes the ability to switch off one energy pathway to another is an important part of success. High fat diets appear to improve the muscle's ability to do this during exercise.
DrO

J Nutr. 2008 May;138(5):964-970.
Dietary Energy Source Affects Glucose Kinetics in Trained Arabian Geldings at Rest and during Endurance Exercise.

Treiber KH, Geor RJ, Boston RC, Hess TM, Harris PA, Kronfeld DS.

Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061; 4Department of Clinical Sciences, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA 19348 5Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, LE14 4RT Melton Mowbray, UK.

Advances in modeling and tracer techniques provide new perspective into glucose utilization and potential consequences to health or exercise performance. This study used stable isotope and compartmental modeling to evaluate how adaptation to a feed high in sugar and starch (SS) compared with a feed high in fat and fiber (FF) affects glucose kinetics at rest and during exercise in horses. Six trained Arabians adapted to each feed underwent similar tests at rest and while running approximately 4 m/s on a treadmill. For both tests, horses received 100 mumol/kg body weight [6,6-(2)H]glucose through a venous catheter. Circulating tracer glucose was described for 150 min by exponential decay curves and compartmental analysis. All parameters of glucose transfer increased with exercise (P </= 0.004). Compared with FF horses, SS horses had higher circulating glucose (P = 0.022) and fractional glucose transfer rates (min(-1)) at rest (P = 0.055). Exercise increased glucose irreversible loss (mmol/min) more in SS horses (P = 0.037). Total glucose transfer during exercise tended to be greater in SS horses (0.027 +/- 0.002 mm/min) compared with FF horses (0.023 +/- 0.002 mm/min) (P = 0.109). This study characterized the effect of diet on glucose kinetics in resting and exercising horses using new modeling methods. Horses adapted to a fat-supplemented feed utilized less glucose during low-intensity exercise. Fat supplementation in horses may therefore promote greater flexibility in the selection of substrate to meet energy demands for optimal health and performance.
Member:
tpmiller

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 8:16 am:

Endurance riders have recognized this for some time.

To the extent that "carb loading" particularly at the higher levels and distances has become common.
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