No response in Glucose Tolerance Test...

[mattydaddy]

Just got my test results back this morning;
Fasting-70
1hour - 71
2hour - 71

A little background:
First off, I am obviously NOT diabetic, so I'm sorry to crash your forum...but my doctor just said to increase my protein and unsaturated fats and I'm having some trouble finding info on the web about my test results.

I am an extremely fit 28 year old male who up to this point has been eating a traditional distance athlete's diet of a very high percentage complex carbs (prob 75 to 80% of total calories). In the past six months I have been droping weight and feeling very bad before meals (shakes, dizziness, lightheaded etc), and down after meals (like I just ate a #1 at McDonalds).

From what I can find, this is not really HYPOglycemia either...

Any help or direction you may be able to provide would be extremely appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance...MATT

[BlueSky]

... I am ... eating .... a very high percentage complex carbs (prob 75 to 80% of total calories). In the past six months I have been droping weight and feeling very bad before meals (shakes, dizziness, lightheaded etc), and down after meals (like I just ate a #1 at McDonalds). ....
It sounds to me like you have reduced fat in your diet too far. If you are getting 80% of calories from carbs, and as an athlete you must be getting 15%+ of your calories from protein or you would lose muscle, that leaves less than 5% of calories from fat. Marathon runners often train like this, but for most people it is not sustainable.

For some insights into what happens on a very low fat diet, read this article Why the Low-Fat Diet is Stupid and Potentially Dangerous - LowCarbMuscle.com (http://www.lowcarbmuscle.com/low_fat_diet_stupid_dangerous.html) . Anthony Colpo is also an athlete and had a bad experience with eating this way. Don't be put off by his aggressive writing style - there is some really good stuff in the article. You could also ask those questions on his forum and he will respond. Good luck! ;)

[mattydaddy]

Just got done reading that website, and it is very similar to what I have begun doing. Happy to report I actually feel better already, but am still getting used to eating this 'new way'.

Thank you for your time.

MATT

[BlueSky]

It is good to hear that things are improving. Adequate fat is important as it contains, and facilitates the absorption of, various nutrients. IMO, athletes should do well with fat as their main source of energy. But you will need enough carbs to replenish your glycogen reserves. And because we are all a bit different, you are probably going to have to do some experimentation to find what works best. Here are some useful comments in this regard : My own experience, and why I started this forum - Low Carb Muscle Forum - LowCarbMuscle.com (http://www.lowcarbmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7)