Fasting Has No Place in Bodybuilding

Intermittent Fasting Hinders Muscle Growth

By George Touliatos, MD

Q: There’s been a lot of talk about intermittent fasting, doctor. What are your thoughts on this?

A: Fasting has no place in bodybuilding. First of all, bodybuilders require a constant supply of energy source. Moreover, this will load up muscle glycogen stores, literally the muscle’s fuel. Second, fasting is a form of stress (both physical and mental). Food restriction and caloric deprivation is a pain in the ass for everyone. That kicks cortisol, the stress hormone responsible for gluconeogenesis, which is equal to muscle breakdown in the liver in order to synthesize glucose from aminos. Third, from hormonal perception, we know that testosterone is bound to SHBG at 98%. Free testosterone is the unbound 2%. SHBG is the main regulator for this, which is affected by insulin as well. Fasting lowers insulin and raises SHBG, letting less free testosterone circulate. Hence, by eating frequently we keep insulin higher and free testosterone higher as well. Furthermore, more insulin equals higher levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). That’s why intermittent fasting hinders muscle growth – because it lowers free testosterone and lowers insulin, plus IGF-1 too. The classic bodybuilding diet demands frequent meals and a steady glucose level. 

George Touliatos, MD is an author, lecturer, champion competitive bodybuilder and expert in medical prevention regarding PED use in sports. Dr. Touliatos specializes in medical biopathology and is the medical associate of Orthobiotiki.gr and Medihall.gr, Age Management and Preventive Clinics in Athens, Greece. Heis the author of four Greek books on bodybuilding, has extensively developed articles for www.anabolic.org and is the medical associate for the book “Anabolics, 11th Edition” (2017). Dr. Touliatos has been a columnist for the Greek editions of MuscleMag and Muscular Development magazines, and has participated in several seminars across Greece and Cyprus, making numerous TV and radio appearances, doing interviews in print and online. His personal website is https://gtoul.com/

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