SPOTLIGHT ON....Probiotics for Performance
Are you aware that Probiotics, in the form of food and/or nutritional supplementation, may support your running performance?
It is well known that Probiotics have the ability to enhance general health through modulation of the immune system and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity as well as by limiting pathogen adhesion to host tissue BUT a lot less is known about
Probiotics potential to enhance exercise performance. Research in the area of Probiotic use as an ergogenic aid in sport and exercise performance is relatively new, but growing especially linked to athletes and their Gastrointestinal health and Immunity. BUT research is also looking at Probiotics linked to specific aspects of exercise and performance including recovery, physical fatigue, and body composition.
So here we:
SHOW NOTES:
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Understanding Probiotics and What They Are
In our digestive system (and other parts of the body, but primarily the digestive tract) reside many different microbes that are both helpful and potentially harmful. This is known as an individual’s Microbiome – each person’s microbiome being unique to them.
Most microbes (also known as microbiota) are symbiotic meaning both the human body and microbiota benefit. BUT some, in smaller numbers can be pathogenic (promoting disease).
In a healthy body, pathogenic and symbiotic microbiota coexist without problems. BUT if there is a disturbance in that balance—brought on for example by an infectious illness, a certain eating style/diet choice, or the prolonged use of antibiotics or other bacteria-destroying medications then DYSBIOSIS (imbalance of the microbiota) occurs, stopping these normal interactions.
As a result, the body may become more susceptible to illness/disease, primarily immune related disorders as 70% of the immune system resides in the digestive tract.
Probiotics (which can be taken in the form of food or nutritional supplements) are micro-organisms that are widely considered to be health-promoting. Both the World health Organisation (WHO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) state: “Probiotics are live micro-organisms that when administered orally for several weeks can increase the numbers of beneficial bacteria in the gut. These have been associated with a range of potential benefits to gut health, as well as modulation of immune function”.
In the general population research into Probiotics has determined their ability to enhance health in many different ways including:
BUT the research into Probiotics and their effects on sports and exercise performance is much more limited.
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What is the research saying about Probiotics for Exercise Performance?
Recent research has indicated that probiotic supplementation could promote specific improvements in exercise performance through various pathways in athletes and physically active individuals using targeted strains of probiotics. The research appears to be focusing on Probiotics in athletes in relation to Gut health and Immunity but also particular aspects of exercise and performance including:
