Workout of the day

Push Jerk
3-3-3-3-3

"Chubby Fran"
For time: 15-12-9

135lbs. Thrusters
Weighted pullups (20lbs Dumbbell or vest)


On Tuesday, I posted an article about amino acids and how supplementing them is very beneficial for the athlete. Yesterday, my fellow coach and genius wrestling fanatic friend attacked me with a very intriguing question. If you read the last paragraph of the article, the author describes how excessive protein intake will hinder recovery because it will signal for the hormone glucagon and cause a process called gluconeogenesis. Last time I checked, gluconeogenesis ONLY occurs if your body is in need of glycogen. So in the low-carb diet scenario, this theory of excess protein causing gluconeogenesis thus converting your amino acids into glucose for the muscles, liver, and blood is correct. However, there does not need to be an excess amount of protein for this to occur. Your body's priority when recovering is to replenish glycogen stores when they are low, therefore there does not need to be protein in excess for this to occur. I believe the author was talking about excess protein causing gluconeogenesis in a carb rich environment. If this is the case, I will confidently say that he is either inaccurate or not explaining his theory fully. Excess protein will not cause gluconeogenesis to occur in a carb rich environment. If glycogen stores are full, then the body has no reason for this process to occur. Now what happens to the excess protein? Does it turn into fat? Technically, protein cannot turn into fat by itself. Protein must have a carbohydrate source, glucose, to convert into fat. The carrier is glucose-6-phosphate to be exact. To sum up the scenario of excess protein in a carb rich environment, the answer is it will attach to a carb source and turn into fat.

The whole thing with excess protein is generally a gray area. What defines excess protein? Especially to the athlete. Protein has more jobs than just repairing and rebuilding muscle tissue. Repairing cells, being burned for energy, aiding in the production of ketones are just a few of the many other jobs proteins/amino acids have at the cellular level. As always...


Stay classy,

Coach A.


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