Bodybuilding competitors have become known for having an excessive protrusion of the midsection, giving the appearance of excess fat and bloating. This has been observed in recent champions such as Phil Heath, Kai Greene, and Ronnie Coleman; despite having very low body fat. This phenomenon is often referred to as “HGH Gutâ€, “Insulin Gutâ€, “Palumboism”, “Bodybuilder Bellyâ€, “Muscle Gut†or “Bubble Gut”. It is believed to be the result of the abuse of insulin and human growth hormone (HGH). This has caused a lot of confusion and speculation among fans, as to why these athletes have become increasingly prone to this type of stomach distension.
What is a Bubble Gut?
Dave Palumbo is a renowned bodybuilder who is credited with popularizing the phenomenon known as ‘Palumboism’. This condition occurs when the oblique muscles on the sides of the abdomen become overly thick, making it difficult for bodybuilders to hold in their stomach muscles. Palumbo’s physique was the first to display a stomach that was abnormally bloated in comparison to the rest of the body. He is highly respected in the fitness industry, having founded Species Nutrition and RXmuscle, two highly successful supplement companies and an online magazine dedicated to bodybuilding.
What causes bubble gut in bodybuilders?
Bodybuilders commonly use performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids, HGH, and insulin, to attempt to build as much muscle as possible. HGH is a popular choice because it can help to improve physical performance, increase lean muscle mass, and reduce fat. However, the effects of HGH are not as strong as those of other PEDs. To gain the full benefits of these drugs, bodybuilders often take extremely high doses, which can lead to adverse side effects such as HGH gut.
Bubble gut, also known as Palumboism, is a common condition seen in bodybuilders that is caused by a variety of factors. It is believed that the combination of human growth hormone (HGH) abuse, insulin abuse, and increased abdominal muscle mass can all lead to the development of the bodybuilder belly.
The excessive use of HGH, estimated at about 5 milligrams per day, can cause side effects such as the excessive growth of certain tissues, including the intestines. This can cause the abdomen to become bloated after eating. Insulin abuse, or “stackingâ€, can also cause increased fat storage in the abdomen, known as visceral fat, which can lead to a larger abdomen.
Finally, the combination of insulin, HGH, and multiple supplements, as well as a high-protein diet, can cause muscle mass to increase considerably. This can cause the muscles of the midsection to grow and protrude, giving the bodybuilder a ‘blocky’ look and contributing to stomach distension.
What causes bubble gut in bodybuilders?
A high-calorie diet is a must for bodybuilders, with many consuming over 10,000 calories per day. A high intake of carbohydrates and glycogen can lead to water retention, which can cause a bloated appearance. Additionally, consuming large amounts of food after taking insulin can cause the stomach to stretch, and when combined with the growth-stimulating effects of HGH, can contribute to the development of palumboism. However, extreme dieting and training without the use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) are unlikely to cause a bubble gut. Natural bodybuilders, as well as professional bodybuilders who competed before the 90s, rarely encountered this condition, likely due to the absence of HGH in their diet.
Carbohydrate loading and water manipulation is a practice used by bodybuilders and fitness models to help them achieve a more defined and voluminous muscle appearance. To do this, they reduce their carbohydrate intake and may take diuretics to rid their body of water. Then, they will consume large amounts of carbohydrates and water to increase the water content in their muscles. This can be problematic, however, as over-consumption of carbs and too much water can lead to slower digestion and stomach distension.
Studies have not yet proven the link between these practices and gut distension, however, scientific evidence suggests that all of the factors behind this condition are possible. This is why it is referred to as a multi-faceted problem.
Are all Guts the same?
HGH gut, bubble gut, steroid gut, and palumboism are all different terms used to refer to the same phenomenon that occurs when bodybuilders stack multiple anabolic substances. This results in a noticeable abdominal distention, which is why it is often referred to as “pregnant abs.†Those affected have a bloated and protruding belly, yet are still able to maintain a low body fat percentage and ripped, muscular bodies.
The use of both HGH and anabolic steroids is typically associated with this condition, hence the alternate terms “HGH gut†and “steroid gut†(aka “roids gutâ€). The term “Palumboism†is derived from the name of Dave Palumbo, an American bodybuilder from the 90s who was amongst the first to suffer from this condition.
Unfortunately, there is no definite evidence as to why exactly this phenomenon occurs, and can only be attributed to the excessive use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Those with HGH gut are unable to pull their gut in and perform stomach vacuums, even when on stage during bodybuilding competitions.
How to prevent an HGH belly
Due to recent evidence that Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Insulin are not as effective as previously thought in promoting strength and muscle mass (3, 4), and the dangers associated with their misuse (5, 6), it is advisable to abstain from their use. However, many bodybuilders take high doses of these drugs for the perceived benefit of aiding muscle growth, as well as for the recovery and growth of tendons and prevention of injury (7). Therefore, simply stopping the use of these drugs may not be the best solution.
Instead, there are other steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of “Insulin or HGH Gutâ€, a condition that results from the misuse of these drugs. For new bodybuilders, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and to ensure that they are taking the drugs in a safe and controlled manner. For veteran athletes, it may be possible to reduce the appearance of the condition by taking steps to reduce the amount of drugs they take.
Ultimately, the only sure way to reverse the effects of palumboism is to stop taking Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs). However, the degree to which the condition reverses after stopping PEDs abuse may vary from one individual to another.
Can legal HGH cause bubble gut?
Prescribed and medically-controlled HGH therapy does not lead to Palumboism, a condition characterized by a distended abdomen. This is despite the fact that HGH has an anabolic effect on many tissues, including those in the intestines. In fact, research shows that Human Growth Hormone (HGH) stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the intestines, which is a key anabolic mediator of HGH and a major factor in tissue growth and proliferation. Millions of patients who take HGH injections for a variety of conditions, such as growth hormone deficiency, short-bowel syndrome, and muscle wasting due to AIDS, have not reported any instances of Palumboism.
Studies suggest that high levels of human growth hormone (HGH) in the body can cause the digestive system to slow down, leading to bloating and constipation. However, this is less likely to be an issue for those undergoing legal HGH therapy, as the doses are much lower than those taken by bodybuilders. This lower dose may still have side effects, but these can be managed if the dose is adjusted correctly by an experienced specialist. Additionally, bodybuilders who take anabolic substances alongside HGH may be at risk of developing ‘bubble gut’.
HGH therapy can lead to a variety of short-term side effects, most notably an increase in water retention. This can cause swelling in the limbs and torso, as well as aching joints, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome. People taking HGH may also experience nausea, fatigue, and a decrease in libido.
How to Avoid HGH Gut
If you are considering HGH therapy, you don’t need to be overly worried about bubble gut. It is possible to gain lean muscle without putting your health at risk. To reduce the risk of bubble gut, it is important to seek the guidance of a licensed hormone doctor and to avoid insulin stacking. Additionally, you should aim for a lower carb diet and practice intermittent fasting if it is safe to do so. Always check with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes.