Probiotics and Athletic Performance: How can probiotics improve athletic performance?
How can probiotics increase athletic performance? Probiotics have been around for some time, but the concept of using a probiotic to increase athletic performance is still a concept in its infancy. Probiotics can directly, and indirectly increase performance in athletes through the absorption and digestion of nutrients and minerals. Below are two examples of how probiotics can aid in the recovery aspect of athletic performance.
Probiotics can increase absorption
Probiotics increase absorption of proteins and amino acids within the digestive system. The increase of "healthy" bacteria within the G.I. tract aid the digestive system with the absorption of nutrients and minerals not in the foods one digests but also in the supplements one consumes. This aids the athlete in the recovery process of either their off-season training, or in-season competition. Probiotics can not only aid in the digestion of proteins/amino acids, but also increase the absorption of lesser quality protein sources, making them a superior product than they were.
Probiotics can improve digestive distress caused by exercise
Remember when you were a child and your mother told you not to "eat and swim or you'll get cramps"? Well, she was right whether she knew why or not. The stomach requires blood flow to aid in the digestive process, when one starts to exercise, or in this example, swim. The blood flow is redirected to the outer extremities that are used to swim.
YH1 Probiotics can aid in the digestive process by releasing a number of proteins and enzymes to promote the growth of of good bacteria in your gut and dissipate the "bad bacteria". This process rapidly restores the gut's microflora to it's normal levels, and reduces the feelings of G.I. distress (bloating, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation).
While the topic of probiotics aiding in athletic performance is still relatively new, it is gaining traction in the sports nutrition world as more studies are being performed on the subject of absorption and digestion.
This article was originally posted here.