Palumbo was the first person in history to have shown characteristic “Bubble gut” related to HGH overuse. Later several other factors were also considered causative for Palumboism.
- Use of Human Growth Hormone.
Excessive and uncontrolled, un-prescribed use of HGH has been the main cause behind development of Plaumboism.
HGH brings about growth of tissues and organs, in this case especially the intestines which grow in size and pushes the stomach giving it a round belly appearance. This is more evident after consumption of food.
- Insulin abuse
HGH and other performance enhancing drugs or steroids are taken along with insulin. Insulin causes build-up of fat in and around the stomach called visceral fat causing visible bulging of the midsection.
- High Calorie consumption
Bodybuilders require more calories as compared to the rest of us leading to large amount of food taken up which may lie dormant in the stomach for long periods of time causing gut distension and bloated appearance.
- Carbohydrates-rich diet
The diet of bodybuilders consist of large amounts of carbohydrates, proteins and lesser fat. The carbohydrates consumed are stores as glycogen in liver and muscles.
This glycogen requires water along with it to be in a storable form. Hence more glycogen gives rise to more water retention causing a distended, full gut.
- Higher abdominal mass
All the rigorous exercises in addition to the supplemental steroids and exogenously supplied hormones cause growth of the Rectus abdominis muscle which gives you your “six-pack” has no place to grow causing it to protrude from your midsection giving a blocky appearance and gut distension.