Four weeks of probiotic supplementation reduces GI symptoms during a marathon race

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, circulatory markers of GI permeability, damage, and markers of immune response during a marathon race. Methods Twenty-four recreational runners were randomly assigned to either supplement with a probiotic (PRO) capsule [25 billion CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL60 and CUL21), Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL20), and Bifidobacterium animalis subs p. Lactis (CUL34)] or placebo (PLC) for 28 days prior to a marathon race. GI symptoms were recorded during the supplement period and during the race. Serum lactulose:rhamnose ratio, and plasma intestinal-fatty acid binding protein, sCD14, and cytokines were measured pre- and post-races. Results Prevalence of moderate GI symptoms reported were lower during the third and fourth weeks of the supplement period compared to the first and second weeks in PRO ( p < 0.05) but not PLC ( p > 0.05). During the marathon, GI symptom severity during the final third was significantly lower in PRO compared to PLC ( p = 0.010). The lower symptom severity was associated with a significant difference in reduction of average speed from the first to the last third of the race between PLC (− 14.2 ± 5.8%) and PRO (− 7.9 ± 7.5%) ( p = 0.04), although there was no difference in finish times between groups ( p > 0.05). Circulatory measures increased to a similar extent between PRO and PLC ( p > 0.05). Conclusion Probiotics supplementation was associated with a lower incidence and severity of GI symptoms in marathon runners, although the exact mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Reducing GI symptoms during marathon running may help maintain running pace during the latter stages of racing.

Heat Adaptation in Military Personnel: Mitigating Risk, Maximizing Performance

“…Bovine Colostrum has been shown to reduce surrogate markers of bacterial translocation and gut permeability following short duration high intensity running (Antonio et al, 2001) but the effects appear attenuated in more demanding exercise protocols in the heat (Morrison et al, 2014;McKenna et al, 2017;March et al, 2019). Whilst multistrain probiotic supplementation has been shown to reduce endotoxin concentrations in some studies (Shing et al, 2014;Roberts et al, 2016), but not others (Pugh et al, 2019), single strain probiotics may increase concentrations of endotoxin following running in the heat (Gill et al, 2016). Zinc-Carnosine whilst commonly used to treat gastric ulcers (Matsukura and Tanaka, 2000), may also be beneficial in improving gut barrier permiability (Davison et al, 2016).…”

Recent advances in clinical probiotic research for sport

“…To evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal symptoms, circulatory markers of gastrointestinal permeability, damage, and markers of immune response during a marathon race, 24 recreational runners were randomly assigned to either supplement with a multistrain probiotic consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL60 and CUL21), Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20, and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis (totaling 25 × 10 9 CFU) or placebo for 28 days prior to a marathon race [ 9 ]. Although there were no differences in race finish times between probiotic and placebo groups, those in the probiotic supplement group were better able to maintain their running velocity in the final stages of the race, compared with placebo.…”

The Gastrointestinal Exertional Heat Stroke Paradigm: Pathophysiology, Assessment, Severity, Aetiology and Nutritional Countermeasures

“…Similarly, the daily ingestion of another single strain probiotic (35 × 10 9 CFU Bifidobacterium longum) had no effect on resting endotoxin concentrations following six weeks of pre-season training in collegiate swimmers [269]. Likewise, four weeks daily supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic (25 × 10 9 CFU; from five strains) had no influence on either DSAT, I-FABP or sCD14 responses following a simulated 42.2 km marathon in temperate conditions [134]. Finally, four weeks supplementation with a single strain probiotic (2 × 10 8 CFU Lactobacillus Salivarius) had no influence on DSAT responses, (or fecal microbial composition), following two hours of moderate intensity running (60% VO 2max ) in temperate conditions [270].…”

“…When endotoxin is assessed from systemic blood samples, hepatic/immune detoxification might lead to false-negative results, and in exercise settings access to portal blood is rarely feasible. Given the large range in absolute endotoxin concentrations reported between studies (Table 4), several recent attempts have been made to measure MT with alternative biomarkers, though results are equally inconsistent [134,140,165,166]. Thermal stress appears to enhance endotoxin translocation above matched exercise performed in temperate conditions.…”