Fitness Question

I have been training for a triathlon for the last three months. My question is based on integrating my fitness program with nutritional needs to maximize my performance. In the past, I worked with a physical trainer. Although, I’m reusing the training program, I’m unsure if I should eliminate fat from my diet to enhance my endurance and performance.

Fitness Answer

To maximize athletic performance, generally athletes are advised to maintain low levels of fat intake. Alternatively, certain athletes misconstrue low to mean absolute elimination of fat intake. Unfortunately, the elimination of fat may not only be devastating to physical performance, but to one’s overall health as well.

Verisimilar to various types of protein and carbohydrates that affect the body in diverging ways, the same is true of different types of fat. For instance, healthy fats are necessary for the body’s well-being, energy production, the body’s healing process, and the management of cell function and repair. Generally, these are essential fatty acids (EFAs). Alternatively, these fats are not produced naturally in the body and needed from the environment (in example: alpha-linoleic acid, linoleic acid, and fish oils). On the contrary, “bad” fats interfere with the body’ chemistry. They are not beneficial to the body’s health. As a result, they stunt athletic performance and endurance.

When fat is stored (free fat) in the body, it is unable to produce energy without oxygen; however, it may significantly render the production of energy during physical exertion or endurance activities. In short, the best kind of fat to consume during rigorous training is a low saturated fatty acid because it will be less apt to negatively impact the body’s energy production.