1.
Intensive, prolonged exercise seemingly causes gut dysbiosis in female endurance runners.
Morishima, S, Aoi, W, Kawamura, A, Kawase, T, Takagi, T, Naito, Y, Tsukahara, T, Inoue, R
Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition. 2021;68(3):253-258
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Athletes are more predisposed to experience gastrointestinal disorders after practices and competition, which is known as exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of highly intensive endurance exercise on the gut microbiota for the possible development of future treatments of exercise-induced gastrointestinal disorders. The study compared the gut environment (gut microbiota and its metabolites) between female elite endurance runners and non-athletic, but healthy women of similar age living within close geographic locations. Results indicate that female elite endurance runners had gut microbiotas and metabolites profiles that differed from those observed in age-matching female controls. Furthermore, the female elite endurance runners had higher levels of the gut bacteria, Faecalibacterium. Authors conclude that further studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between the microbiota and the production of bacterial metabolites in the gut of athletes.
Abstract
Intensive, prolonged exercise is known to induce gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, with gut dysbiosis suggested as being one of the causatives. In the present study, we wanted to investigate the relationship between intensive exercise and the gut microbiota status. To that end, the microbiota, the moisture content and the bacterial metabolites (e.g., organic acids) of female endurance runners (n = 15) and those of non-athletic but healthy, age-matching female controls (n = 14) were compared. The analysis of the gut microbiota analysis showed that, unlike control subjects, female endurance runners had distinct microbiotas, with some bacteria found in higher abundances likely being involved in gut inflammation. The concentration of succinate, a gut bacterial metabolite regarded as undesirable when accumulated in the lumen, was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the female endurance runners. Faecalibacterium, that was significantly (p<0.05) abundant in female endurance runners, can produce succinate in certain environments and hence may contribute to succinate accumulation, at least partly. The present work suggested that the gut microbiotas of female endurance runners are seemingly dysbiotic when compared with those of control subjects. Further investigation of the mechanism by which intensive, prolonged exercise affects the gut microbiota is recommended.
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Fat Soluble Vitamins in Institutionalized Elderly and the Effect of Exercise, Nutrition and Cognitive Training on Their Status-The Vienna Active Aging Study (VAAS): A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Franzke, B, Schober-Halper, B, Hofmann, M, Oesen, S, Tosevska, A, Strasser, EM, Marculescu, R, Wessner, B, Wagner, KH
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
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Increasing life-expectancy and consequently the incidence of age-related diseases is one main challenge for health systems. Elderly people are often at risk for inadequate nutrient supply due to physiological, metabolic, and age-associated factors affecting nutrient and fluid intake. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma status of ten fat soluble micronutrients in a cohort of institutionalized elderly. A secondary aim was to investigate the effect of six months of either strength training, strength training and a protein-vitamin supplement, or a cognitive intervention on their plasma status. The study is a secondary analysis of the ‘Vienna Active Ageing Study’. One hundred and seventeen institutionalized elderly women and men (aged 65–98 years) were recruited. The participants were randomly assigned into three intervention groups—cognitive training, resistance training (RT), RT + supplement, and stratified for gender in a randomised, controlled, observer-blind design. Results show a diverse plasma status of fat soluble micronutrients in old institutionalised elderly; appropriate for retinol, improvable for alpha-tocopherol, and not satisfying for beta-carotene. Furthermore, the effect of six months training intervention with or without protein-vitamin supplementation improved physical function, but it was very moderate on the status of fat soluble micronutrients. Authors conclude that their findings encourage a stronger focus on the supply of nutrient dense plant food in this age group in order to obtain sufficient micronutrient levels or, if not otherwise possible such as for vitamin D, to use specific supplements.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Institutionalized elderly are at higher risk for micronutrient deficiency. In particular, fat soluble micronutrients, which additionally have antioxidative function, are of interest. The purpose of this secondary investigation of the Vienna Active Ageing Study was to assess and evaluate the plasma status of retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene, as well as vitamin D (25(OH)D) in a cohort of institutionalized elderly. We further determined the effect of six months strength training with or without supplementing (antioxidant) vitamins and protein on the plasma status of these ten micronutrients. METHODS Three groups (n = 117, age = 83.1 ± 6.1 years)-resistance training (RT), RT combined with protein and vitamin supplementation (RTS), or cognitive training (CT)-performed two guided training sessions per week for six months. Micronutrients were measured with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) at baseline and after 6 months of intervention. Physical fitness was assessed by the 6-min-walking, the 30-s chair rise, isokinetic dynamometry, and the handgrip strength tests. RESULTS At baseline, the plasma status of retinol was satisfactory, for alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and 25(OH)D, the percentage of individuals with an insufficient status was 33%, 73% and 61%/81% (when using 50 nmol/L or 75 nmol/L as threshold levels for 25(OH)D), respectively. Plasma analyses were supported by intake data. Six months of elastic band resistance training with or without protein-vitamin supplementation had no biological impact on the status of fat soluble micronutrients. Even for vitamin D, which was part of the nutritional supplement (additional 20 µg/d), the plasma status did not increase significantly, however it contributed to a lower percentage of elderly below the threshold levels of 50/75 nmol/L (49%/74%). CONCLUSIONS The findings of the study lead to the strong recommendation for regular physical activity and increased consumption of plant-based foods in institutionalized elderly. When supported by blood analysis, supplementing micronutrients in a moderate range should also be considered.
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Daily Intake of Fermented Milk Containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (Lcs) Modulates Systemic and Upper Airways Immune/Inflammatory Responses in Marathon Runners.
Vaisberg, M, Paixão, V, Almeida, EB, Santos, JMB, Foster, R, Rossi, M, Pithon-Curi, TC, Gorjão, R, Momesso, CM, Andrade, MS, et al
Nutrients. 2019;11(7)
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Athletes undergoing high-intensity efforts show increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), both in the context of competitions and during strenuous training. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the daily intake of fermented milk (containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota) on the systemic and upper airway immune/inflammatory responses before and after a race in marathon runners who previously reported upper respiratory symptoms (URS) after an exhaustive physical exercise session. The study is a double-blind randomised clinical study which recruited 42 male amateur marathon runners with an average age of 39 years. The participants were randomly separated into two groups: Lactobacillus casei Shirota group (n=20) or the placebo group (n=22). Results indicate that daily ingestion of fermented milk (containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota) was able to control both immunological and inflammatory responses in the blood and also in the upper airways mucosal of amateurs´ runners after a marathon. Authors conclude that Lactobacillus casei Shirota is able to modulate the systemic and airways immune responses post-marathon, presenting protective effects.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) can benefit the immune status, the effects of LcS in the immune/inflammatory responses of marathon runners has never been evaluated. Therefore, here we evaluated the effect of daily ingestion of fermented milk containing or not LcS in the systemic and upper airway immune/inflammatory responses before and after a marathon. METHODS Forty-two male marathon runners ingested a fermented milk containing 40 billion of LcS/day (LcS group, n = 20) or placebo (unfermented milk, n = 22) during 30 days pre-marathon. Immune/inflammatory parameters in nasal mucosa and serum, as well as concentrations of secretory IgA (SIgA) and antimicrobial peptides in saliva, were evaluated before and after fermented milk ingestion, immediately, 72 h, and 14 d post-marathon. RESULTS Higher proinflammatory cytokine levels in serum and nasal mucosa, and also lower salivary levels of SIgA and antimicrobial peptides, were found immediately post-marathon in the placebo group compared to other time points and to LcS group. In opposite, higher anti-inflammatory levels and reduced neutrophil infiltration on nasal mucosa were found in the LcS group compared to other time points and to the placebo group. CONCLUSION For the first time, it is shown that LcS is able to modulate the systemic and airways immune responses post-marathon.