The Newest Endurance Supplement for Performance | Endurance Athletes

A Probiotic To Be Used As An Endurance Supplement?

There is more and more evidence that your gut health can impact more than just your digestive system. The bacteria in your intestines have been shown to influence our mood, our hunger and satiety, and our immune function. But one area of emerging research has also shown that these bacterial species can affect our performance during exercise. This has led to studies looking at whether probiotic supplements can lead to improvements in performance and used as an endurance supplement 

There is now new evidence that they could have direct benefits for those competing in endurance events such as marathons and triathlons.

While the LAb4 Probiotics have been used in numerous clinical studies assessing their use for weight loss, immune function and stress and anxiety (see our Lab4 basics blog), there is now new evidence that they could have direct benefits for those competing in endurance events such as marathons and triathlons.

First Signs - Run For Longer

The first evidence of our probiotics being benefitcial as an endurance supplement was shown in a study published in 2014 (1). A group of runners were recruited to perform trials where they were asked to run for as long as possible on a treadmill in the heat. Then, one group supplemented with Lab4 probiotics while the other group took a placebo. After runners had supplemented with Lab4 probiotics for 4 weeks and asked to, they were able to run for ~15% longer compared to when they had taken the placebo. 

Competitors were able to run for ~15% longer compared to when they had taken the placebo. 

Quicker Race Time In A Triathlon

In 2016, the next piece of evidence was published showing that probiotics were beneficial to athletes taking part in an Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle, and 26.2 mile run) (2). Participants supplemented with probiotics or placebo for 12 weeks. Those taking probiotics had a 10% quicker overall race time than those on the placebo - with a particularly quicker cycle time – although this did not reach statistical significance.

Those taking probiotics had a 10% quicker overall race time than those on the placebo - with a particularly quicker cycle time

Those taking probiotics also suffered from fewer and less severe gut symptoms (e.g. bloating, urge to defecate, nausea, etc.) during training compared to the placebo group. This study was also the first to suggest that, similarly to findings in IBS patients, Lab4 probiotics seemed to reduce the gut symptoms experienced by some endurance athletes. So not only this is beneficial as an endurance supplement to increase performance it also has health benefits with gut symptoms for training and during race time.

Also, Lab4 probiotics seemed to reduce the gut symptoms experienced by some endurance athletes

Gut symptoms like bloating, nausea, stomach/intestinal pain or discomfort, cramping, headaches, dizziness, constipation and diarrhoea were assessed and severity scores during training were significantly lower in the Lab4 probiotic groups compared to the placebo group.

'Toughest Race On Earth' - 12% Quicker Race Times

The Marathon des Sables is a multi-day ultramarathon in the Sahara desert that is often called the toughest race on the planet. In a 2017 study (3) runners supplemented with either probiotics or placebo for 12 weeks before heading to the desert. Runners had an overall race time that was 12% quicker after supplementing with Lab4 probiotics compared to placebo.

Runners had an overall race time that was 12% quicker after supplementing with Lab4 probiotics compared to placebo.

Gut Symptoms And Running

The most recent research to have examined the effects of probiotics on endurance performance was published last year. In the study runners supplemented with Lab4 probiotics or a placebo for 4 weeks, before competing in a marathon race around a 400m athletics track (that’s over 100 laps)  in controlled conditions. The key difference between this study and previous studies was that the researchers looked to control as many different factors as possible. Runners were all supplied with the same diet for the day before the race and they all consumed the same breakfast - meaning any differences seen in the measures were not because of differences in their diet. All runners were also required to take on water and carbohydrates during the race in amounts that fit best practice guidelines. 

Compared to placebo, the probiotic group were able to maintain their speed at the end of the race, while the placebo tended to slow down.

The probiotic group saw reductions in gut symptoms during the weeks leading up to the race. They also reported less severe symptoms such as bloating and the urge to go to the toilet, during the marathon itself. This, in turn, saw that, compared to placebo, the probiotic group were able to maintain their speed at the end of the race, while the placebo tended to slow down.

References

1 - Shing, C. M., Peake, J. M., Lim, C. L., Briskey, D., Walsh, N. P., Fortes, M. B., ... & Vitetta, L. (2014). Effects of probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, inflammation and exercise performance in the heat. European journal of applied physiology, 114(1), 93-103. 

 2 - Roberts, J. D., Suckling, C. A., Peedle, G. Y., Murphy, J. A., Dawkins, T. G., & Roberts, M. G. (2016). An exploratory investigation of endotoxin levels in novice long distance triathletes, and the effects of a multi-strain probiotic/prebiotic, antioxidant intervention. Nutrients, 8(11), 733.

3 - Suckling, C., Roberts, J., Peedle, G., Gordon, D., Marshall, H., Taylor, L., & Roberts, M. G. (2016). Probiotic Supplementation and Gastrointestinal Endotoxemia Before and After the Marathon Des Sables. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(5S), 249-250.

4 - Pugh, J. N., Sparks, A. S., Doran, D. A., Fleming, S. C., Langan-Evans, C., Kirk, B., ... & Close, G. L. (2019). Four weeks of probiotic supplementation reduces GI symptoms during a marathon race. European journal of applied physiology, 119(7), 1491-1501.

If you are taking any prescribed medication or have any medical conditions ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist BEFORE taking vitamins or supplements. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If pregnant or lactating, ALWAYS consult your doctor before use. Or if you have any queries about any supplement ALWAYS consult a QUALIFIED medical professional.

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