The use of oral contraceptives in women alters the differences in substrate oxidation between phases of the menstrual cycle

We previously reported that women in the luteal (LUT) phase oxidize less leucine, lipid and lipid relative to CHO as a fuel source, whereas they have a more advantageous protein balance, at rest and during exercise as compared with the follicular (FOL) phase (Hamadeh et al, Physiologist 2004;47:306–7). Moreover, FOL and LUT women oxidize less leucine and have a less negative protein balance at rest and during exercise as compared with men. To …