Limiting Refined Sugar After Workouts

The answer to this question will be different for every individual. Here’s why.

First, we know that refined sugar in the diet makes the body increase extra insulin to combat the additional sugar in the blood. This increase in insulin causes an increase of another hormone called somatostatin. And somatostatin shuts down exercise-induced growth hormone released by high-intensity training.

"Somatostatin (SRIF) was discovered in 1973, in Roger Guillemin's laboratory as a Growth Hormone (GH) inhibiting neurohormone," (Somatostatin: a ubiquitous peptide, 1998, Epelbaum).

Researchers report that elevated insulin levels increase somatostain and this blunts the release of growth hormone. "In conclusion, our data indicate that in the obese, as in normal subjects, the GH response to GHRH is a function of insulin levels," (Elevated insulin levels contribute to the reduced growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing hormone in obese subjects, 1999, Lanzi).

In another study, researchers report similar findings, "insulin exerts a negative effect on GH release," (Evidence for an inhibitory effect of physiological levels of insulin on the growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing hormone in healthy subjects, 1997, Lanzi).

In other words, if someone does the high-intensity Sprint 8 Workout and increases their body’s natural supply of anti-aging, (and anti-MIDDLE-aging, weight reducing, muscle toning, bone density improving) exercise-induced growth hormone, and immediately after the workout, eats a candy bar full of refined sugar, this will defeat the purpose of high-intensity training.

Weight Loss Strategy

An important fitness strategy is to keep the body’s natural increase of growth hormone working for two hours synergistically targeting bodyfat after training. And this training benefit will be lost, if somatostatin shuts down HGH growth hormone.

How many carbohydrates can I eat and not increase somatostatin after training? This becomes the key question. And the answer has several factors involved current fitness level, age, and the most critical issue...how much body fat? Why?

Syndrome X is what medical researchers call the impact of "insulin resistance" (this is everyones worst fitness nightmare). The more someone is overweight, the more resistant to insulin the body becomes.

Syndrome X makes the body over react to dietary sugar and carbohydrates — even some high-quality, natural carbohydrates like fruit. When someone really overweight says, "everything I eat turns to fat," they are telling the truth — and they are describing the impact of Syndrome X.

What this research means to you

It means that if you’re trying to lose bodyfat, you may not want to risk somatostatin release by limiting your sugar intake after an anaerobic, growth hormone releasing workout.

Have a great day!

Phil Campbell, M.S., M.A., FACHE
Author Ready, Set, GO! Synergy Fitness

National Institutes of Health research cited in newsletter,
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NOTE: The purpose of this article is to expand thinking about fitness as an informational source for readers, and is not medical advice. Before attempting the Synergy Fitness program, the Sprint 8 Workout, or any high-intensity exercise program, consult your physician. This is not just a liability warning; it's wise to have a baseline medical exam before beginning a fitness program. Make your physician a partner in your fitness improvement plan.

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