Olympia Fat-Loss Stack
Fat loss is a goal that has escaped most Americans, as the rates of obesity escalate. Yet, for decades, bodybuilders of all races and nationalities have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve body fat percentages in the low-to-mid single digits. The disparity between the burgeoning midline of the public versus the lean abdomens of the Olympians begs for an explanation, in the hope that the experiences of these men might open therapeutic avenues of research. Sadly, the politics involved and social stigma attached to the exhibition sport of bodybuilding impedes any such melding.
The basis for reaching a non-age adjusted body fat percentage of 3 percent or less is founded first and foremost on disciplined dieting. Nobody gets lean without controlling their calorie intake— regardless of drugs, surgery, and exercise. Contestants on the television reality show “The Biggest Loser” lost tremendous amounts of weight in a relatively short period; sadly, the producers focused on the more exciting exercise routines and emotional drama rather than the boring diet plans.
Exercise is no chump-change player when it comes to fat loss, and professional bodybuilders know it well. They typically exercise from 75 to 180 minutes a day, if one includes posing and morning low-intensity cardio as part of their exercise regimen.
One needs to bear in mind that the extreme amount of skeletal muscle developed places an equivalent metabolic demand. Sports commentators were in awe of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’ reported daily intake of roughly 10,000 calories, which he managed to burn through the many hours of swimming, aided by his youthful metabolism. Professional bodybuilders may consume 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day at various phases of contest preparation. Obviously, as they close on the contest date, bodybuilders pare those calories down and manipulate the macronutrient intake. During the last few days leading up to a show, a 260-pound bodybuilder may reduce his calories down to 1,300 to 1,500; some continue to consume as many as 3,000 or more.
Many recreational athletes diet and train with similar intensity and discipline, but fail to come even close to the ‘peeled’ appearance of the Olympia contestants. The difference lies in genetics and drugs. People need to remember that these men represent the ‘best of the best’ in those departments. The ability to respond to the conditions applied to the body (diet, training, drugs, etc.) depends heavily on the individual’s unique genetic predisposition.1 The role of genes as the final determinant of potential makes the allure of gene-doping almost irresistible for elite athletes in all sports, something the World Anti-Doping Agency is already preparing to face.2
As of now, there is no documented or proven way to buy new physique-enhancing genes in humans. Every year, some adolescent television comedy dusts off the worn-out line, “You can’t pick your parents, but you can pick your nose.” In a few years, gene doping may change that— hopefully retiring that tired punchline.
In the absence of having perfect genes, aspiring titans resort to drugs to trigger metabolic reactions. In bodybuilding, the desired reactions are increasing muscle size and decreasing subcutaneous fat and total fat mass.
‘Tried-and-True’ Drugs for Fat Loss
As with anabolic agents, there are ‘tried-and-true’ drugs that are used almost universally among bodybuilders, and others that are less well known due to the secretive and competitive nature of the culture. Surprisingly, few bodybuilders use prescription fat-loss drugs. This is because most approved prescription weight-management drugs rely on appetite suppression or reducing nutrient absorption.3 Non-specific weight loss reduces lean mass as well, a detriment to size and strength. Bodybuilders are focused on building and maintaining muscular mass— a catabolic, hypocaloric diet would harm their chances at competitive success.
Instead, bodybuilders look for drugs that accelerate the metabolic rate, increase thermogenesis, affect nutrient partitioning, stimulate lipolysis, reduce adipocyte differentiation or survival, or reduce extracellular water.
Obesity is not a 21st-century condition. Physicians, shamans, and pitchmen have been offering ‘cures’ for obesity for centuries. Among the early treatments was organ consumption, specifically eating thyroid tissue from pigs, cattle, etc.4 Thyroid hormone regulates the rate at which nutrient-based substrates (calories) are shuttled through the mitochondria to generate heat and ATP— cellular energy. People suffering from thyroid disorders (low concentrations of active thyroid hormone) tend to be easily fatigued, intolerant to cold, and gain weight. Conversely, conditions of excess result in weakness, tremors, insomnia, intolerance to heat, and weight loss. This weight loss is generic, not specific to adipocytes— resulting in the loss of skeletal muscle mass, as well as body fat.
Of course, a bodybuilder using a variety of anabolic drugs is protected against the muscle-wasting effects of hyperthyroidism, but obese patients prescribed supraphysiologic dosages of thyroid often demonstrate weakness and loss of lean mass.5 Among bodybuilders, the favored drug is Cytomel— synthetic T3 which is many times more active than the commonly-prescribed Synthroid (levothyroxine— T4).6 Other thyroid hormone analogs exist, but none have shown sufficient specificity for fat loss to be used in the treatment of obesity. The risk of heart rhythm disturbances has caused this therapy to fall into disfavor.
Also embedded in ancient practices of more primitive cultures is the use of ephedrine and similar compounds.7 Originally sourced from plants, ephedrine and related alkaloids increase the sympathetic state of an individual. Sympathetic tone refers to the balance of excitement versus relaxation from the point of view of the nervous system. When sympathetic tone is elevated, such as when one takes ephedrine/caffeine, the body acts as though it is on high alert— the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism.
During such events, whether caused by immediate danger or a chemical stimulus, adrenaline and adrenaline-like chemicals flood the receptors on the muscles, fat cells, brain, liver, etc. The net result is increased muscle rigidity and activity, greater calorie burning, fat release from fat cells, and generally a reduction in appetite.
This class of drugs, called sympathomimetics, also has the added benefits of reducing fatigue perception, increasing force generation, boosting alertness and pep, lowering the perceived need for sleep, and improving certain mental/cognitive functions. Generally safe, they carry a risk of tremors, emotional irritability, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, high blood pressure, etc.8
Ephedrine and caffeine in combination remains very popular, even with the restrictions against ephedrine/pseudoephedrine purchase. These two chemicals can be used in the production of methamphetamine.9 There is certainly good reason for ephedrine/caffeine’s popularity— it is very effective and does not impair performance or muscular growth.10 In fact, it may even aid in building strength and size to a slight degree.
More potent drugs exist for stimulating the beta-adrenergic pathway, including asthma medications. It is interesting how many Olympic athletes, Tour de France cyclists, etc. are being treated for ‘asthma.’11 Beta-agonist inhalers expand the airways, allowing performance athletes to breathe easier and resist fatigue. Used chronically, certain beta-agonists can stimulate receptors on the fat cell to release stored fat, and simultaneously stimulate skeletal muscle to increase the rate and percentage of fat calories burned, even at rest.
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