Unlocking Endurance Secrets: How L-Carnitine Fuels Ultra-Long Races and Everyday Fitness
By Stutisheel Oleg Lebedev, 3100-Mile Race 10-time finisher.
As someone who's completed the world's longest certified foot race, the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race, a staggering 10 times, I've delved deep into strategies for maintaining consistent energy during ultra-long efforts. My discoveries not only enhanced my performance during the grueling event but also offered insights into managing body fat in everyday life. Here’s an invitation to explore these findings for yourself.
In multi-day endurance events, fats emerge as the primary energy source. Yet, during these extended physical exertions, I observed fluctuations in my energy levels, attributable to two main factors. Initially, a significant depletion of the body's fat reserves can occur, which can be offset by incorporating foods rich in plant-based fats like avocados, cashews, and olive oil. Additionally, after weeks of continuous running, despite adequate nutrition, the body may start to break down fats more reluctantly—a common challenge among endurance athletes.
This resistance to fat metabolism is often linked to the role of biliary acids, which aid in fat breakdown. Blockages in the gall ducts, which transport bile from the liver and gallbladder to the intestines, can inhibit this process. Although addressing this issue during a race is risky, we've found success in using certain diets to cleanse the liver and gall ducts as a preventive measure weeks before the event. Cleaning the liver typically helps clear the gall ducts, facilitating better fat digestion.
Interestingly, vegetarians sometimes struggle with digesting fats efficiently, which can lead to weight gain. We've identified a couple of effective strategies to mitigate this issue. A key solution is the supplementation with L-carnitine, an amino acid known for its fat-burning capabilities. Widely used by bodybuilders to shed excess fat and enhance muscle definition, L-carnitine also boosts energy levels in athletes, making it an invaluable tool for long-distance training and competition. It can be consumed in liquid form with water before and during workouts, or as capsules, depending on your preference. It’s important to note that L-carnitine is most effective when accompanied by physical activity.
In conclusion, L-carnitine stands out as a simple yet powerful aid in extreme sports for efficient fat breakdown and energy production. Additionally, it's beneficial in everyday training to help shed excess fat and achieve a leaner physique.
Product to consider
Book: Eat To Run. Holistic nutrition for the ultra-marathon runner