Question
Where do you stand on things like carb loading? It seems to be a popular strategy, but I’d like more information before starting.
Answer
Of all the “anabolic” strategies available to the drug free lifter, harnessing the power of insulin (via carb intake AND restriction) is the most powerful, in my opinion.
Having said that, it’s highly dependent on the goal.
Fat loss? Muscle gain? Is both possible??
Let’s review a few strategies.
The Anabolic Diet
Ideally suited to BOTH dieting and bulking, I consider it the best diet to harness the power of insulin.
Although the 48 hour carb load is specified, understand this has some variability, depending upon somatype.
Nevertheless, a successful 48 hour carb load is a powerful stimulus for both muscle growth and strength.
What you’ll learn: Periodic re-feeds are necessary – especially if your goal is to build muscle.
Carb Loading
The other strategy I’m fond of is intra and post workout carb loading.
Ideally, these are high molecular weight modified starches aka EFX’s Karbolyn.
Sipping circa 50 and up to 100 grams of it during and immediately after training has powerful effects.
The key is incorporating EAA’s, beta-alanine and creatine to “push” those into muscle cells, along with greater glycogen storage.
Since I use Mass Pro Synthagen and Progenadrex, I’m more than covered.
Once you find your carb threshold, performing a mid-week carb spike while on the anabolic diet is the key IMO, to gaining more muscle.
If you’re interested more in burning fat, I’d suggest substituting Glutamine for Karbolyn on a gram for gram basis.
Little discussed, but glutamine will raise insulin as much as dextrose, on a gram for gram basis.
It’s about the only time L-glutamine can benefit the bodybuilder, in my opinion.
