Wewer, K. M., Wilkens, H. D., Wing, S. L., Subudhi, A. W., & Askew, E. W. (2004). Dietary macronutrients and blood oxygenation during acute hypoxic exposure. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(5), Supplement abstract 2307.

Male and female subjects (N = 17) were fed a basal diet (57, 26, 17 % kcal from carbohydrate, protein or fat respectively) or diets high in either carbohydrate (71% kcal), fat (43% kcal) or protein (42% kcal) for five days before 60 minutes of hypoxic exposure (13.6% oxygen 86.4% nitrogen, 646 mm Hg). Ss received all diets in a random order interspersed by a one week wash out period. Measurements were taken at 0, 30 and 60 minutes.

PcO2 decreased from approximately 65 mm Hg at baseline to 40 mm Hg at 60 minute hypoxic exposure. SaO2 decreased from approximately 97% at baseline to 80% at 60 minutes exposure. There were no significant differences in the blood oxygen responses to hypoxia with respect to diet.

Implication. Relatively moderate changes in the macronutrient content of the diet do not significantly alter blood oxygenation during moderate altitude acclimatization.

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