Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Is there a tipping point to how much muscle is actually healthy on a human body, keeping in mind the frame and natural build of someone? Is the amount of muscle itself hard on the body?

Also, could having large amounts of muscle be unhealthy just because of the upkeep of the body through diet (high amounts of protein and carbohydrate)?

flag	asked Nov 30 2011 at 3:26 Ryan 1,044●2●5●22

lil' Richard frm tx fan · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-30 03:46:48Z UTC

To paraphrase Mark Sisson, you should be "strong enough to save your own life." This is from the following post Could You Save Your Own Life: "the abilities to maneuver your body with precision, manipulate/lift/push/pull your own bodyweight without tiring too quickly, jump high and far enough to clear a few feet, swim for a few hundred meters, and maintain top running speed for a couple hundred meters are crucial for survival." Beyond being able to survive a reasonable fight or flight scenario, I think it's an individual preference/need.

Daniel Kirsner · Answer 2 · 2011-11-30 03:53:20Z UTC

Based on my reading, "The More the Merrier" provided one maintains a low (healthy) bf%. Obviously, leaving aside the possible benefits of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction ...

That having been said, the pursuit of "as much LBM as possible"--with blinders on--is not a good thing. On the exercise side, doing so will predispose one to overuse and other injuries. And, of course, the drug regimen required to truly maximize ones LBM is absolutely insane. So... the answer involves a few caveats thrown in.

Brent · Answer 3 · 2011-11-30 05:25:01Z UTC

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One indication that you've got too much muscle is when you start to have difficulty feeding yourself. Another might be when moving around is impeded by muscle mass. You see both scenarios in body builders with hypertrophied arms and legs.

answered Nov 30 2011 at 5:25

Brent
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I've yet to see a bodybuilder who had difficulty feeding himself, lol... – Daniel Kirsner Nov 30 2011 at 5:37

Dorado Galore · Answer 4 · 2011-11-30 05:56:50Z UTC

Yes. The amount you need, correlated inversely with the amount you want, squared conversely with the amount Nature intended for your Phenotype.

Got it? The real answer is: eat smart, work out well. And have a freaking blast living.

Because. Eventually. You. Wil. Be. Dead.

Sucks. So live.

Wisper · Answer 5 · 2011-11-30 07:10:19Z UTC

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Here are several different models, including growth potential and max muscle mass potential.

answered Nov 30 2011 at 7:10

Wisper
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Interesting stuff. – Ryan Nov 30 2011 at 18:42

Is there an optimal amount of muscle?

5 Answers