Low-Calorie Diet After Exercise Increases Fat Use
Regular physical activity is more important for health than absolute levels of physical fitness. Physical activity influences health factors, such as blood pressure, fuel use, and insulin sensitivity. Caloric intake and dietary composition after exercise can affect fat use and insulin metabolism for several days.
University of Michigan researchers, led by Jeffrey Horowitz, showed that after exercise, fat use but not insulin sensitivity was greater following a low-calorie meal. Insulin sensitivity increased after exercise following a low-carbohydrate meal. The study showed that the calorie and carbohydrate content of the diet after exercise has an important effect on metabolism. (Journal of Applied Physiology, in press; published online December 31, 2009)
