protein increase metabolism? carbohydrate alone?

[Maximum6]

I don't know where I learned this from, but someone long ago told me consuming Protein increases metabolism? What exactly is the reason for this?

Any of you ever eat carbohydrate alone? Ever since I started bodybuilding I never eat carbohydrate alone.

[mrky03]

Protein has a thermic effect, takes more calories to digest than carbs. I personally do a lot better when I eat about 50p 20c 30f ratio. There are a lot of people here on the board who are much more knowledgeable than I about this, but from personal experience I do get lean much quicker on high protein low carbs. I always eat protein with carbs also.

[Maximum6]

I was wondering also how Triathalon Athletes or endurance race athletes "carb up".

Now I know Bodybuilders and marathon athletes are different. However, Marathon athletes sometimes do this ritual of eating a WHOLE LOT of carbs the night before so they would have energy.

For bodybuilders that are trying to lean up OR gain as little fat as possible during the bulk phase, they may cut out carbs near bed time.

There are 3 things I can come up with as to why Carbs may easily be turned to fat.

1. High glycemic foods get absorbed too quickly leaving low blood sugar level which leads to cravings of more food.
2. Glycogen stores in the body is completely full. Anymore carbohydrate intake would be turned to fat.
3. Too many calories overall consumed.

So what is the reason for bodybuilders to cut out carbs near bed time? I believe the body itself can hold up to ALOT of glycogen. Sleeping may slow down the body's process of using up glycogen and thus eating carbs before bed may fill up the body's glycogen stores more than it burns off.

Is this the reason?