Carbohydrate rich diet for muscle disorder

A diet high in carbohydrates instead of proteins improves the ability of people with McArdle disease to exercise. McArdle disease is a metabolic muscle disorder. People born with the disease are unable to produce an enzyme called muscle phosphorylase, which is important in producing the fuel source required by the muscles for exercise. Patients develop severe muscle pain and fatigue in the first few minutes of exercise, often followed by severe muscle spasms if they continue to exercise. Previous studies have shown that a protein-rich diet is beneficial for patients with McArdle disease. However, researchers from Denmark examined the effects of carbohydrate-rich versus a protein-rich diet on exercise tolerance in 7 adults with McArdle disease. The patients were randomised to follow one diet or the other diet for 3 days and then exercised on a stationary bicycle after each diet. The researchers found that exercise performance was better with the carbohydrate-rich diet than the protein-rich diet. Heart rate and perceived exertion were consistently lower and maximal oxygen uptake was 25 percent higher in patients on the carbohydrate in comparison to the protein diet. It was concluded that patients with McArdle disease should be kept on a diet with a high carbohydrate content to improve their ability to tolerate exercise. This diet also helps reduce exercise-induced episodes of muscle injuries.

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