Can Exercise Impact Our Gut Microbiome?

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The intestines of humans contain microbes commonly referred to as the gut microbiome. The meals we eat affect these microbes. The thought of having these microbes in your gut can sound disgusting, but they are of great benefit to the body and perform crucial functions.

There are several health-related benefits associated with these organisms. They can determine how happy or anxious you will be, the frequency of your bowel movements, enhance your digestion, and even determine the functionality of your immune system.

While it is widely known that the food we eat affects the gut microbiome, researchers have also been working hard to ascertain what other factors can affect it. One of the factors that have been looked into is the way of living. Interestingly, some of the studies indicate that exercising can impact the gut microbiome.

What does research say?

Studies have been carried out to see whether physical activity has an impact on microbes. In the first study, gut samples from 32 men and women who were not in any workout regime was collected and analyzed. Within six weeks, the subjects went through various workout routines including jogging, walking, and cycling. Samples from the gut were then collected again.

After the examination of the gut samples, researchers realized that every subject exhibited changes in their gut microbiome after the six weeks of exercise. There were some variations on the fungi and bacteria in the gut between the various participants. The biggest changes occurred in those participants with lean bodies when compared to those who were obese.

Though obese individuals did not exhibit many changes like their lean counterparts, the overall results indicated that exercise impacted every participant’s gut microbiome. You want to be lean too? Visit Steroidsfax to get steroids that can complement your workouts.

Another study

In the second study, researchers wanted to know the effects high-intensity exercises on gut microbes, the body’s metabolic activities, and intestinal permeability.

73 soldiers were selected and given 3 meals per day of rations. Samples from their blood and stool were taken before exercising. The permeability of their intestines was also measured. After 4 days of intense workouts, the aforementioned samples were collected again and the intestinal permeability was also measured.

The intestinal permeability rose up by 60% and the gut microbial composition changed significantly. The common bacterial composition went down while the less common rose. An increase in intestinal permeability is associated with boosting the immune system.

Exercising increases the beneficial gut microbes

Exercise is not only associated with increasing the beneficial microbes but also their diversity. When the beneficial gut microbiomes composition increases and becomes more diverse, the overall body functions improve.

When you exercise, the nervous system is activated, prompting it to send signals to the gut. From there, peristalsis can change and there will also be some secretion of fluid or mucus. All of this changes the normal environment of the microbiome, making it more conducive. As a result, beneficial gut microbiome composition increases.

It is evident that the exercise can impact our gut microbiome. Although the effects vary between individuals as highlighted earlier, the overall conclusion from studies conducted indicated that the beneficial gut microbiome increases when you exercise.