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The PILLAR Performance Podcast

Challenging the Carbohydrate Paradigm in Endurance Sports - Dr Andrew Koutnik

Mar 19, 2025
01:19:12

In this episode, Dr. Dan Plews speaks with Andrew Koutnik, award winning Ph.D researcher with a remarkable journey from obese adolescence to elite athlete and researcher. Andrew has collaborated with institutions like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, NASA, and the Department of Defense - Specializing in type 1 diabetes, metabolic health and performance optimization.


Topics Covered:

  • - Impact of diabetes on athletic performance.

    - Rising obesity rates in type 1 diabetics.

  • - Role of carbohydrates in high-intensity exercise.

  • - Fat oxidation and endurance performance.

  • - Misconceptions about high-carb diets for elite athletes.

  • - Importance of metabolic health and balanced training for strength and endurance.



  • Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Background of Andrew Koutnik

    05:09 The Impact of Type 1 Diabetes on Athletic Performance

    10:13 Understanding Obesity in Type 1 Diabetes

    14:53 Carbohydrates and High-Intensity Performance

    20:03 The Role of Fat Oxidation in Performance

    24:57 The Ironman Study: Methodology and Findings

    29:54 Carbohydrate Supplementation and Performance

    35:12 Conclusions and Future Directions

    44:50 Understanding Muscle Glycogen Depletion

    50:42 The Role of Carbohydrates in Performance

    58:58 The Importance of Blood Glucose Levels

    01:06:46 The Dangers of Following Elite Athlete Guidelines

    01:19:41 Balancing Strength and Endurance Training





    Dr Dan Plews: https://www.instagram.com/theplews/


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