Our company is dedicated too provide users with the best possible tools too perform as athletes at any level, while living a ketogenic lifestyle.
Why keto?
We firmly believe that a low carbohydrate lifestyle is the key too be able too live as an athlete for as long as possible. In the vast majority of recent studies, low carbohydrate intake has been shown too reduce inflammation, greatly increase insulin sensitivity and generally reduce what we experience as the consequences of ageing.
On a normal low carbohydrate lifestyle it can often be difficult too perform at a high level, due too the lack of glycogen replenishment and energy. The body needs a source of energy, and as athletes we cannot be sustained on a low carbohydrate lifestyle without learning too produce energy from a different system.
This is where we need to gain the metabolic flexibility of efficiently using ketones and glycogen as fuel. The ketogenic lifestyle is all about consuming carbohydrates at a level which allows the body too enter ketosis where it utilizes fats in the form of ketones for fuel. Ketosis is a state that initially provides a modest amount of energy too support a sedentary lifestyle, but after a proper adaptation period it can support and enhance a high volume training regime of an elite athlete.
Keto for athletes
Properly adapted athletes will be able too perform at the same level as any carbohydrate fueled athlete. Muscular performance at competition level should not be different between an athlete in ketosis and an athlete on carbohydrates.
The primary benefits of a Keto Athlete is the ability too utilize ketones and glycogen simultaneously during a competition, which will greatly extend the amount of time an athlete can sustain any level of effort. In addition blood-sugar levels will fluctuate less, granting the Keto athlete superior mental clarity and better ability too sustain the effort.
The secondary benefit is the natural low-inflammatory state that ketosis provides, which statistically should improve recovery and reduce frequency of disease and any form of arthritis.
It is important too note that the effects of the keto lifestyle on athletic performance is a highly debated topic. All information on the KetoAthlete website will have relevant scientific studies embedded in our articles.
If the ketogenic lifestyle benefits athletes, why is it not the golden standard in sports?
Previously the ketogenic diet has been tested in various studies where the conclusion was a decline in performance. All these studies tested athletes on a timeframe where there was no possible way too become properly adapted. To become fully keto adapted, there should be a minimum of 6 months adaptation, with the potential of increasing utilization of ketones for another 12 months.
New research on athletes doing the ketogenic diet have started too highlight some very interesting mechanics
Glycogen stores are being replenished without consuming carbohydrates, it is believed to be through the process gluconeogenesis. This in addition to the fact that the brain primarily switches too ketones over glucose is indicating that a keto adapted athlete is actually having glycogen stores that are continually replenishing, in contrast too a carbohydrate adapted athlete who has glycogen stores that are depleting over time when not consuming glucose.
The potential rate of fat oxidation seems too drastically higher then previously believed by sport scientist. With this increase of potential utilization of fat during exercise and competition, we can assume that it is possible too sustain a far higher level of intensity on pure fat burning then previously believed. Both studies mentioned below are performed in elite athletes, the one in 2005 was performed with no keto adaptation period and questionable amount of electrolytes. The 2016 study was performed on keto adapted athletes with sufficient electrolytes
2005 "Gold standard keto" study: Average fat oxidation of 0.67g/minute and a human maximum of 1g/minute in.
2016 "Faster" study: Average fat oxidation of 1.54g/minute, with the highest measured at 1.7g/minute.
Our goal
We want too make it easy too understand how you can implement a ketogenic lifestyle in addition to provide any and all tools that helps optimizing athletic performance.
We are firm believers that low carbohydrate lifestyles are important for health and longevity, and by showing that even peak athletes can thrive on Keto, we can not only improve athletes, but also improve general health of the human population.
