OLYMPIC ATHLETES AND GUT HEALTH
OLYMPIC ATHLETES AND GUT HEALTH
by Devon Marcin, RN
The Tokyo Olympics are finally here! Like many others, I look forward to the Olympic games every 4 years (or 5 thanks to a global pandemic!) to be able to watch elite athletes perform from all over the world. These elite athletes endure intense, grueling training to be the best. Training at such a high level most definitely can take a toll on the body. Most can easily expect the high level of training can make athletes more prone to physical injuries such as strained muscles, torn ligaments, and possibly broken bones. What is not as evident is how this intense training can have an impact on these athletes’ digestive health.
Check out this article from Today.com which surveyed Olympic athletes from various endurance sports including cycling, horse racing, rugby, tae kwon do and ultramarathon running and found that the majority of the athletes (86%) described having at least one GI symptom (abdominal bloating, gassiness, diarrhea). The article also mentions how this intense training and dietary practices may have an affect on the gut microbiome as well.
Today: How does intense training affect Olympic athletes’ gut health?
Although most of us would not consider ourselves an elite athlete, our team at Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health can help provide guidance to help you with your GI health and weight management goals. Contact our office to learn more at 224-407-4400 or at www.compgihealth.com.