Does Pre-Workout Break a Fast? A Complete Breakdown

Dietary fasting has gained widespread popularity for its potential health benefits, ranging from weight management to cellular repair processes. As many fitness enthusiasts incorporate intermittent fasting into their routines, a common question arises: does using pre-workout break a dietary fast? In this article, we will explore this query, focusing on the health benefits of dietary fasting and a detailed breakdown of popular pre-workout ingredients to determine if they disrupt the fasting state. It's important to note that this discussion doesn't pertain to religious fasts, which may have distinct guidelines.

Health Benefits of Dietary Fasting:

Before delving into the impact of pre-workout on fasting, let's briefly explore the health benefits associated with dietary fasting:

1. Weight Management: Fasting periods may promote weight loss by enhancing fat metabolism and reducing overall caloric intake. [1]

2. Cellular Repair: Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, is upregulated during fasting, contributing to the removal of damaged cells and cellular components. [2]

3. Insulin Sensitivity: Fasting may improve insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. [3]

4. Brain Health: Some studies suggest that fasting may enhance brain function and protect against neurodegenerative diseases. [4]

Now, let's examine the ingredients of pre-workouts such as ELEV-8 THC Infused Pre-Workout to determine if they break a dietary fast.

Pre-Workout Ingredients and Fasting:

1. Caffeine:

   • Impact on Fasting: Caffeine itself doesn't contain calories significant enough to break a fast. It may even enhance fat burning during fasting. [5]

2. L-Citrulline and L-Arginine:

   • Impact on Fasting: These amino acids are not caloric in nature and are unlikely to disrupt the fasting state. They are often included for vasodilation and improved blood flow. [6]

3. Beta Alanine:

   • Impact on Fasting: Beta-alanine is calorie-free and is generally considered fasting-friendly. It's known for enhancing endurance during workouts. [7]

4. L-Theanine:

   • Impact on Fasting: L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea, is non-caloric and should not interfere with the benefits of fasting. It is often combined with caffeine for a balanced effect. [8]

5. Creatine:

   • Impact on Fasting: Creatine, although it provides energy during workouts, is calorie-free. Its use during fasting is generally accepted, and it might even enhance muscle retention. [9]

6. Alpha GPC:

   • Impact on Fasting: Alpha GPC is a choline-containing compound. While it may have a caloric value, the amount in a typical pre-workout serving is minimal and unlikely to break a fast. [10]

7. Taurine:

   • Impact on Fasting: Taurine, an amino acid, is not a significant source of calories. Its inclusion in pre-workout supplements is usually minimal and shouldn't interfere with fasting benefits. [11]

Conclusion:

In conclusion, using pre-workout may not necessarily break a dietary fast, given that the ingredients are generally low or devoid of calories. Caffeine, L-Citrulline, L-Arginine, Beta Alanine, L-Theanine, Creatine, Alpha GPC, and Taurine, when included in reasonable amounts, are not likely to disrupt the physiological benefits associated with fasting. However, individual responses may vary, and it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to ensure that your fasting and supplement regimen align with your health goals.

References:

1. Mattson, M. P., Longo, V. D., & Harvie, M. (2017). Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes. Ageing Research Reviews, 39, 46-58.

2. Mizushima, N., & Levine, B. (2010). Autophagy in mammalian development and differentiation. Nature Cell Biology, 12(9), 823-830.

3. Halberg, N., Henriksen, M., Soderhamn, N., Stallknecht, B., Ploug, T., Schjerling, P., ... & Dela, F. (2005). Effect of intermittent fasting and refeeding on insulin action in healthy men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 99(6), 2128-2136.

4. Mattson, M. P., Moehl, K., Ghena, N., Schmaedick, M., & Cheng, A. (2018). Intermittent metabolic switching, neuroplasticity and brain health. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 19(2), 63-80.

5. Zheng, X., Qiu, Y., Zhong, W., Baxter, S., Su, M., Li, Q., ... & Jia, W. (2016). A targeted metabolomic protocol for short-chain fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids. Metabolomics, 12(1), 1-12.

6. Dinges, M. M., & Lachnit, C. (2018). The influence of L-arginine supplementation on exercise-induced muscle strength and power. Experimental Gerontology, 108, 204-209.

7. Hill, C. A., Harris, R. C., Kim, H. J., Harris, B. D., & Sale, C. (2007). Influence of β-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle carnosine concentrations and high intensity cycling capacity. Amino Acids, 32(2), 225-233.

8. Foxe, J. J., Morie, K. P., Laud, P. J., Rowson, M. J., de Bruin, E. A., & Kelly, S. P. (2012). Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task. Neuropharmacology, 62(7), 2320-2327.

9. [Rae, C., Digney, A. L., McEwan, S. R., & Bates, T. C. (2003). Oral creatine monohydrate supplementation improves brain performance: a double––blind, placebo–controlled, cross–over trial.