Diet Periodization

Hi Jordan,

Is there any evidence that “periodizing” ones diet results in more muscle mass gained or fat lost over a long term period? I’m sure it helps with adherence but i hear arguments from people, a la Mike Israetel, that simply drilling the same deficit over the long term could eventually become metabolically inefficient. Another claim i’ve seen is spending 4-6 weeks in maintenance phases prior to embarking on a bulk or cut so that you become desensitized to feast or famine…something like that at least.

thank you.

Patrick,

Depends what you mean by periodization in this sense. The MATADOR study shows some evidence for improved adherence, though other trials using a similar protocol fail to support this claim. I don’t think I could very confidently say anything related to alternating periods of maintenance and calorie surplus/deficit with respect to “better” outcomes.