Contest Cutting/Glycerine

[WORLDBEATER]

I am nine weeks out with my bodyfat down to 7%. In my attempt to reach 4% I realize that my diet must be perfect. Today I was reviewing my protein bars and protein powders and couldn't figure out the discrepancy between the calories from(fat/pro/carbs) and the total calories. I came to understand that the pro powder contained about 20 cals of glycerine/glycerol per serving while the bars contained about 40 cals of glycerol/glycerine per bar. I only supplement about 1 bar a day currently and 2-3 scoops of protein but this accounts for about 100 calories per day. Without further rambling I guess my main question is what place does glycerol(is it similiar to a carb) have in the body and should I do without it? I noticed my MRP's lack glycerol. Should I opt for them solely over the bars.

 

[Enock]

I looked it up at one point.
Glycerol is an oddity. Basically It can't be a FAT because its has 4 cals per gram not 9, its was definitly rules out of being a protein. It should fall into being a carb but its techinically not a carb (don't remember why). Since things have to fall into one of these 3 categories but glycerol doesn't it hasn't been labeled as anything YET! I think I read that it shows some signs of being a carb but not all making it an incomplete carb and thats why it isn't listed as a carb.

 

[Belial]

Glycerine is used for its gummy texture and because it doesn't create an insulin response like a carb would.

If you're really curious, here's a quick description from brittanica.com:

Glycerol

A clear, colourless, viscous, sweet-tasting liquid belonging to the alcohol family of organic compounds; molecular formula HOCH2CHOHCH2OH. Until 1948 all glycerol was obtained as a by-product in making soaps from animal and vegetable fats and oils, but industrial syntheses based on propylene or sugar has accounted for an increasingly large percentage of U.S. production since that time. The term glycerin is ordinarily applied to commercial materials containing more than 95 percent glycerol.

Glycerol has thousands of uses. It is a basic ingredient in the gums and resins used to make many modern protective coatings such as automotive enamels and exterior house paints. Glycerin reacted with nitric and sulfuric acid forms the explosive nitroglycerin. It is also a component of mono- and diglyceride emulsifiers, which are used as softening agents in baked goods, plasticizers in shortening, and stabilizers in ice cream. Its varied uses in the pharmaceutical and toilet goods fields include skin lotions, mouthwashes, cough medicines, drug solvents, serums, vaccines, and suppositories. Another significant use is as a protective medium for freezing red blood cells, sperm cells, eye corneas, and other living tissues. At one time, its largest single use was as automotive antifreeze; methanol and ethylene glycol have replaced it for this purpose.

Fats and oils are valued chiefly as sources of the carboxylic acids that are present, combined in the form of esters with glycerol. When the acids are set free from these compounds, glycerol remains as a solution in water and is purified by coagulating and settling extraneous matter, evaporating the water, and distilling.

Sounds yummy to me. Anyway, for all intents and purposes glycerine is the ultimate "emtpy calorie", providing nothing other than energy. Unless you crave a bar, I'd stick to the shakes: more nutrients per calorie. If you're cutting, make every calorie count, but glycerine probably won't sabotage you.

[This message has been edited by Belial (edited April 17, 2001).]

 

[TheBoogieMan]

Hey bro one type of complex carbohydrate or polysaccharide is called Glycogen. Glycogen is like animal starch except that the branching is more numerous. Actually, we don't ingest or take into our bodies Glycogen. Our bodies make Glycogen that is composed of Glucose linked together in alpha links. Glycogen is made by our body as a way of storing the unused carbohydrate so it can be tapped into when the body needs energy sources. Runners, swimmers, and other aerobic sports people usually eat lots of complex carbohydrates so that Glycogen supplies can be built up before the athletic event so they can tap into that storehouse when they need it at the height of their physical exertion. Glycogen is usually stored in the liver and muscle tissue of our bodies. The addition of carbohydrates causes increases insulin production, which further increases GH release, which in turn further increases the release of IGF. These increases in turn, have been shown to further increase protein synthesis and muscle growth after a bout of exercise as well as increasing the uptake of amino acids. By adding amino acids after exercise we have further increased the available free amino acid pool as well. Amino acids are necessary for protein synthesis to take place. So without the insulin rebound after exercise, the body would remain in a catabolic state. We know that with the onset of exercise, ATP is the immediate source of energy. As the exercise progresses, the ATP stores are reduced and glycogen and glucose are also utilized by the muscle for fuel. With more muscle glycogen and glucose being used for energy, blood glucose levels soon begin to drop. Insulin levels soon begin to fall as well. This is the point at which FFA is released from the adipose tissue and becomes a reserve source of fuel.
As we near the end of our training, the body is now in a hypoglycemic stage. The blood sugar is low and the insulin level has dropped. Immediately after exercise as explained earlier, GH production is increased as insulin levels start to rebound. A carbohydrate supplement following exercise will elevate blood glucose levels and cause a state of hyperglycemia forcing further production of insulin. The high levels of insulin in the blood now force much needed glucose and amino acids through the receptor sites in the muscle cell at a quicker rate. This high level of blood glucose will eventually cause further GH secretions. Soon the high levels of insulin utilize the extra carbohydrate and the blood glucose levels once again drop. Of course the insulin level now drops as it did during exercise. GH secreats once again starts as the rebound effect begins all over.

TBM

 

[BSmooth]

Glycerin helps hydrate your muscles...

 

[Belial]

TBM, he said GLYCERINE, not glycogen.

 

[NJstacked]

Glycerol...is an awesome hydrating formula which I use after i carb deplete and then load up with glycerol fuel before say...going to the beach or club...It gives a great pump and also helps from feeling shitty after a night out

 

[WORLDBEATER]

Thanks for the info. You guys have done a great job answering my question. I am going to decrease my intake of the bars and put MRP's in their place. I think I will continue to use them occasionally though.

 

[TheBoogieMan]

My Bad! I should probably stay away drom the computer after of few beer!lol

TBM

 

[Big Pappa BB]

I don't know what kind of bars you are eating but a guy I know that competes and shop at my store said he will only eat the Pure Protein bars when he's trying to cut because most of the other bars have a milk protein in them which causes more water retention.

Just my $0.02