Before we get started, we should clear up one thing, Too many people think they have Bloated stomach (extended gut), but in fact it might be only belly fat.

How can you tell the difference between belly fat and extended gut?

Belly fat is Constant but bloating comes and goes,So if you can pinch your abdominal skin  and when you measure your waist every day and it’s the same, this means you just need to lose fat.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Now lets talk about extended gut and how can we avoid it

There are 2 types of extended gut;

1- medically bloated stomach

It’s  when your internal abdomen filled with gas or air, causing your midsection area to appear  swollen and it is caused by many medical conditions and bad lifestyle habits but the most common reason is digestive problems.

If you want more detailed information about medically bloated stomach, you can view this medical article.

But I know you are not here for this kind of bloating so let’s cut to the chest and talk about the other type.

2-bodybuilders gut or what they call it (HGH/insulin gut)

I think most of us saw a bodybuilder with an extended gut (bloated stomach) and look like a pregnant woman, but what is the reason behind it?

There are many factors might be causing it;

• External Synthetic Human growth hormone (HGH)

(HGH) is a natural hormone produced by the body and from its name, it’s responsible for growth and increase the size of body cells which also means an increase in muscle,bones,joints and all body organs which include also internal abdominal organs and this when the problem appears.

With the abuse of  external synthetic (HGH) the internal organs increase in size and force the abdominal wall to extend causing a bloated stomach and that what you see in probodybuilders shows.

solution: don’t use HGH or at least limit it to a low dosage ( ask your doctor for the prober dose for you).

---

Related: HGH supplements VS HGH injections, Are they equal?

---

• External Synthetic Insulin

It’s also a hormone produced by the body to maintain a normal blood sugar levels  by increasing the absorption of sugars and nutritions which include proteins, so  bodybuilders use it during bulking to increase protein synthesis and more energy for muscle and size.

But it also causes high water retention, which means an increase in internal water accumulation in the colon causing extended gut.

Solution: First of all, if you are not preparing for a contest or you don’t have a critical reason to use HGH, insulin or steroids in general , just don’t use it because it doesn’t worth the risk.

But if you must use it, try to reduce the dosages of it, especially during cutting and pre-contest to prevent the appearance of extended gut on the stage.

• Massive amount of foods and high carb diets

Eating 7-10 big meals like a pro-bodybuilder with high amount carbs causing digestion problems and decrease  gastric motility so some of the food accumulate  in the colon forcing the abdominal wall to extend.

Solution: try to limit your carb intake and focus on proteins and fats during your cutting phase and pre-contest preparation.

There are many other factors that may be responsible for an extended gut, but a combination of these pervious factors is the most realistic theory.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

References

1- https://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-bloating-and-abdominal-pain

2-http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/17668/1/Why-Do-Bodybuilders-Have-Large-Guts.html

3- http://www.pwnfitness.com/why-bodybuilders-big-guts-distended-stomach/