Eating a low-carb diet can turn athletes into spectacular fat burners, far better than previously known, according to a new study*. Compared to high-carb athletes, their fat-burning rates were about twice as high during prolonged exercise.
Interestingly the study also revealed that the low-carb athletes had normal muscle glycogen levels. This was an unexpected finding to Jeff Volek, lead researcher of the study. It could be due to an elegant system for maintaining glycogen levels in muscles even when carbs are limited.
*/ Note that the study was financially supported by Quest Nutrition and The Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation.