Intakes of high fat and high carbohydrate foods by humans increased with exposure to increasing altitude during an expedition to Mt. Everest

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine total energy intakes, distribution of energy derived from the macronutrients, and the effects of increasing altitudes on energy and macronutrient consumption during exposure to high altitudes. High fat, low carbohydrate diets (35% and 50% of energy, respectively) or low fat, high carbohydrate diets (20% and 65% of energy, respectively) were provided to two groups of subjects for a 3-wk period. Groups then consumed the alternate diet for 3 wk, followed by a return to the original diet for the remaining 3 wk of the study. Free choice of individual items and amounts within each diet was permitted. Intake of food and fluid was determined by means of monitored entries in daily food records. Five subjects remained at Base Camp (5300 m) and 10 subjects climbed to altitudes up to and including the summit of Mt. Everest (8848 m). Subjects consumed an average of 10.22 ± 4.57 MJ/d (2442 ± 1092 kcal) energy while at Base Camp, with climbers consuming significantly more than Base Camp personnel [11.89 ± 4.88 vs. 7.87 ± 2.98 MJ/d (2841 ± 1167 vs. 1881 ± 713 kcal/d), P ≤ 0.0001]. There was a significant decline in energy consumption at increasing altitudes (P = 0.022), but no shift in distribution of energy provided from fat, carbohydrate or protein (P > 0.05). Contrary to previous reports, subjects in this study did not shift their food selections away from the high fat items towards high carbohydrate items.