Energy balance

Amateur bodybuilders in the pre-contest period experience significantly increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and upper respiratory tract infection severity due to severe caloric restriction and macronutrient deficits.

If you are cutting calories drastically for a competition, expect your immune system and recovery to suffer. This study shows that severe energy restriction (45% deficit) combined with high training volume leads to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, even if you eat enough protein. To mitigate this, ensure you are getting enough micronutrients (especially Vitamins A and E) and healthy fats, as their deficiency was linked to higher oxidative damage. Be aware that using anabolic steroids, common in this population, may mask some symptoms but does not eliminate the underlying oxidative stress.