Athletes need probiotics to improve their performance. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the digestive tract and help with digestion, absorption, and immunity.
The human body needs a healthy gut flora in order to perform at its best and probiotics can help maintain this balance by improving the immune system and aiding indigestion.Â
As athletes, we know how important it is for us to take care of our bodies both inside and out so we can be at our peak performance when we compete or train.
With probiotic supplements, you’ll notice that your stomach feels better than ever before because they will regulate your bowel movements which may have been irregular due to intense exercise routines such as running or weightlifting.
You’ll also sleep better after taking these days because your sleep cycle will improve which helps you feel refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Need more incentive to start taking probiotics?
Well, there is also great evidence that links gut health and brain function. Many of us athletes are always looking for ways to improve our performance by doing extra workouts or training sessions, but one thing you might not be focusing on is your gut flora.
Did you know that the human gut contains a nervous system of its own which has been called the “second brain”?
It’s true, and this second brain can influence our mood, feelings, thoughts, and behavior.
This means stomach problems such as bloating or gas could potentially have an effect on our brains, but luckily probiotics can be a great way to avoid these symptoms.
In addition, gut health can help prevent diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.
Athletes are at a higher risk for these types of diseases because we give our bodies so much stress from training and competing at such a high level.
By taking probiotics you’ll be able to maintain a healthy gut which may help prevent some of these diseases from developing.
How probiotics benefit endurance athletes
Improved recovery
They boost antioxidant absorption, which aids recuperation. Because free radicals are prevalent after exercise, athletes must combat them with high doses of antioxidants during recovery and throughout the day.
Probiotics improve antioxidant absorption and hence promote extra free-radical fighting just when you need it when consumed during recovery.
Improved immunity
Probiotics boost immune function by boosting levels of interferon, a natural viral fighter that is reduced in tired athletes.
Have you ever noticed how certain endurance athletes become sick more frequently than those who don’t work out as much?
Many athletes cross the line from exercising to harming their health with endurance training, at least in some areas.
The immune system, specifically interferons, which are proteins generated and released by cells in response to pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and tumor cells, is one area of suppression.
Healthy bacteria supplementation has been proven to enhance interferons in exhausted athletes, resulting in a reduction in infections like mononucleosis.
Improved digestion
Healthy bacteria aid digestion by boosting protein and fat bioavailability and absorption. Healthy bacteria in the stomach and intestines can aid in the digestion of these substances.
Athletes have some of the highest nutrient requirements of anyone, and these requirements are best addressed with enhanced digestion.
Furthermore, they have been shown to minimize nausea, intestinal inflammation, bloating, and food hypersensitivity in athletes during and after exercise.
In conclusion
Athletes need probiotics because they will improve their overall health and performance.
Probiotics can help regulate bowel movements, improve sleep quality, and reduce the risk of certain diseases that plague competitive athletes.
When choosing a probiotic it’s important to look for a supplement that has many different strains of good bacteria and high CFU counts.
You might prefer probiotics that have 10+ different strains and 50+ billion CFUs but everyone is different so find out what works best for you.
A quick reminder ..
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