Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training
Introduction Established guidelines recommend carbohydrate-rich diets to optimize performance in endurance sports. However, alternative dietary strategies, such as the low-arbohydrate and high-fat (LCHF) diet, have gained increasing attention due to their potential to influence metabolic flexibility...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2536139 |
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| author | Anna Maria Kripp Ammar Tahir Agnes Draxler Maria Speiser Karl-Heinz Wagner Daniel König |
| author_facet | Anna Maria Kripp Ammar Tahir Agnes Draxler Maria Speiser Karl-Heinz Wagner Daniel König |
| author_sort | Anna Maria Kripp |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Established guidelines recommend carbohydrate-rich diets to optimize performance in endurance sports. However, alternative dietary strategies, such as the low-arbohydrate and high-fat (LCHF) diet, have gained increasing attention due to their potential to influence metabolic flexibility and endurance performance outcomes. In this study, we aim to investigate the combined effects of a LCHF diet, along with low glycemic index (LOW-GI) and high glycemic index (HIGH-GI) diets, in conjunction with regular endurance exercise, on the metabolomic profiles of recreational runners. The classification into LOW-GI and HIGH-GI groups is based on the premise that metabolic regulation, particularly insulin response and glucose metabolism, differs significantly between the consumption of high-glycemic and low-glycemic foods.Methods The participants (n = 49, 28 ± 4 years, BMI: 24.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2, VO2 peak: 56 ± 8 ml/min/kg) were randomly allocated to a LOW-GI (n = 16), a HIGH-GI (n = 16) or a LCHF (n = 17) diet for 10 weeks and the same endurance training intervention. Fasting plasma samples were collected both pre- and post-intervention and were prepared for non-targeted metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry.Results The LCHF diet had a considerable impact on plasma lipids, whereas the respective effects in the LOW-GI and HIGH-GI groups were less pronounced. Specifically, 179 up- or down-regulated metabolites were identified in the LCHF group, 111 in the LOW-GI group, and 139 in the HIGH-GI group. Phospholipids and sphingolipids were found to be the most prominent metabolites in the samples. Furthermore, the regulation of glycerolipids, carnitine, amino acids, and carbon acids exhibited differential patterns across the groups.Discussion There is evidence to suggest that the LCHF diet enhances fat metabolism, as indicated by increased levels of carnitine and ketone bodies, as well as a downregulation of amino acids. Conversely, the presence of specific carbon acids might diminish carbohydrate metabolism and impair endurance performance. In contrast, the LOW-GI group may have demonstrated augmented metabolic flexibility due to the upregulations of both carnitines and carbon acids in the samples. The elevated glycerolipids content in the HIGH-GI group suggests a potential reduction in fatty acid oxidation due to hyperinsulinemia. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d78e194f9e104562b030bf31ed5a950e |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
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| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-d78e194f9e104562b030bf31ed5a950e2025-08-20T03:25:40ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832025-12-0122110.1080/15502783.2025.2536139Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant trainingAnna Maria Kripp0Ammar Tahir1Agnes Draxler2Maria Speiser3Karl-Heinz Wagner4Daniel König5University of Vienna, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Vienna, AustriaUniversity of Vienna, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vienna, AustriaUniversity of Vienna, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Vienna, AustriaUniversity of Vienna, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vienna, AustriaUniversity of Vienna, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Vienna, AustriaUniversity of Vienna, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Vienna, AustriaIntroduction Established guidelines recommend carbohydrate-rich diets to optimize performance in endurance sports. However, alternative dietary strategies, such as the low-arbohydrate and high-fat (LCHF) diet, have gained increasing attention due to their potential to influence metabolic flexibility and endurance performance outcomes. In this study, we aim to investigate the combined effects of a LCHF diet, along with low glycemic index (LOW-GI) and high glycemic index (HIGH-GI) diets, in conjunction with regular endurance exercise, on the metabolomic profiles of recreational runners. The classification into LOW-GI and HIGH-GI groups is based on the premise that metabolic regulation, particularly insulin response and glucose metabolism, differs significantly between the consumption of high-glycemic and low-glycemic foods.Methods The participants (n = 49, 28 ± 4 years, BMI: 24.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2, VO2 peak: 56 ± 8 ml/min/kg) were randomly allocated to a LOW-GI (n = 16), a HIGH-GI (n = 16) or a LCHF (n = 17) diet for 10 weeks and the same endurance training intervention. Fasting plasma samples were collected both pre- and post-intervention and were prepared for non-targeted metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry.Results The LCHF diet had a considerable impact on plasma lipids, whereas the respective effects in the LOW-GI and HIGH-GI groups were less pronounced. Specifically, 179 up- or down-regulated metabolites were identified in the LCHF group, 111 in the LOW-GI group, and 139 in the HIGH-GI group. Phospholipids and sphingolipids were found to be the most prominent metabolites in the samples. Furthermore, the regulation of glycerolipids, carnitine, amino acids, and carbon acids exhibited differential patterns across the groups.Discussion There is evidence to suggest that the LCHF diet enhances fat metabolism, as indicated by increased levels of carnitine and ketone bodies, as well as a downregulation of amino acids. Conversely, the presence of specific carbon acids might diminish carbohydrate metabolism and impair endurance performance. In contrast, the LOW-GI group may have demonstrated augmented metabolic flexibility due to the upregulations of both carnitines and carbon acids in the samples. The elevated glycerolipids content in the HIGH-GI group suggests a potential reduction in fatty acid oxidation due to hyperinsulinemia.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2536139Metabolismcarbohydrate intakeglycemic indexnon-targeted metabolomicsphospholipids |
| spellingShingle | Anna Maria Kripp Ammar Tahir Agnes Draxler Maria Speiser Karl-Heinz Wagner Daniel König Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Metabolism carbohydrate intake glycemic index non-targeted metabolomics phospholipids |
| title | Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training |
| title_full | Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training |
| title_short | Exploring the non-targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance-trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training |
| title_sort | exploring the non targeted metabolomic landscape in endurance trained runners following 10 weeks of different dietary patterns and concomitant training |
| topic | Metabolism carbohydrate intake glycemic index non-targeted metabolomics phospholipids |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2536139 |
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