For athletes, it is crucial to increase caloric intake proportionally to training intensity to avoid RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), a condition where the body lacks the energy to support its vital functions, leading to risks such as stress fractures.

noli's read

This advice is based on a solid scientific consensus regarding RED-S. Meta-analyses and consensus statements from organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (Mountjoy et al., 2018) confirm that energy deficiency indeed compromises bone, hormonal, and immune health. The idea that the body prioritizes survival at the expense of performance and reproductive functions is biologically accurate and documented by observational studies in athletes. It is also accurate to distinguish RED-S from eating disorders, as it can result from a simple lack of awareness regarding the increased nutritional needs caused by intense exercise, as highlighted by sports nutrition research. The assertion that stress fractures are a frequent consequence of chronic under-fueling is well supported by clinical literature. No part of this message appears to be exaggerated or unfounded in light of current knowledge in sports physiology.

the sources

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