Elite athletes’ feces may provide insight into enhancing metabolism

In a study conducted by Frédéric Derbré and his colleagues at Rennes 2 University in France, the gut microbiota of top-level athletes and non-athletes with healthy diets was analyzed. Athletes with the highest exercise capacities were found to have less diverse gut microbiota and lower overall amounts of gut bacteria but higher levels of short-chain fatty acids, which are important for energy production. This suggests that these athletes’ gut bacteria may extract nutrients more efficiently from food, although further study is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Mice that received fecal transplants from athletes with high exercise capacities showed increased sensitivity to insulin and higher levels of glycogen, a key energy source. However, they did not exhibit increased running endurance, indicating that a fecal transplant alone may not be enough to mimic elite athletic performance. The results suggest that exercise capacity should be considered when selecting donors for fecal microbiota transplantation, as it may offer metabolic benefits.

Edward Chambers, a physiologist at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the study, highlighted the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet in maintaining overall health. He mentioned that supplementing the diet with short-chain fatty acids, rather than undergoing fecal microbiota transplantation, could be a less invasive and expensive way to potentially reap similar benefits. This study sheds light on the potential metabolic advantages of a specific gut microbiota profile associated with elite athleticism.

Overall, the findings suggest that the gut microbiota of high-level athletes may play a role in enhancing energy metabolism and nutrient absorption. While fecal transplantation from these athletes showed some benefits in mice, more research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between gut microbiota, exercise capacity, and overall health. Increasing scientific literacy and understanding the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key components in shaping public health decisions with a scientific basis.