The Role of Probiotic Supplementation in Preventing Gastrointestinal and Immune System Problems Arising from Intense Physical Activity: A Traditional Review

Abstract

The bidirectional relationship between physical activity and gut health indicates that regular physical activity supports the gut microbiota, whereas prolonged and intense exercise may increase intestinal permeability, leading to gastrointestinal issues. Common symptoms, such as stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea, are observed in 20–40% of endurance athletes. In addition to gastrointestinal problems, intense and prolonged physical activity may increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, leading to suppression of immune function. Therefore, in recent years, probiotic supplementation has gained prominence as a means to support athletes’ health and enhance their performance. Probiotics contain live microorganisms that help balance the gut microbiota, providing beneficial effects on digestion, immunity, and metabolism. Microorganisms like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium enhance immune functions, reducing the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and accelerating recovery. Studies have shown that, in marathon runners, probiotic supplementation reduces gastrointestinal complaints, increases maximal oxygen consumption, and supports post-exercise recovery. Moreover, consuming probiotic-enriched yogurt has been reported to improve both performance and immune function in athletes. The beneficial effects of probiotics on athletes may vary depending on individual differences, the strain type used, dosage, and duration of use. However, there some studies have reported that probiotics do not have a significant effect on performance or the immune system. This highlights the need for more comprehensive and long-term studies. In conclusion, regular probiotic supplementation shows significant potential for reducing health issues, strengthening immunity, and enhancing athletic performance. Nonetheless, individualized planning and further scientific investigation in this field are recommended.

Keywords

• gastrointestinal microbiome
• Probiotics
• exercise
• athletic performance

Şiddetli Fiziksel Aktiviteye Bağlı Ortaya Çıkan Gastrointestinal ve Bağışıklık Sistemi Problemlerinin Önlenmesinde Probiyotik Takviyesinin Rolü: Geleneksel Derleme

Abstract

Fiziksel aktivite ile bağırsak sağlığı arasındaki çift yönlü ilişki, düzenli fiziksel aktivitenin bağırsak mikrobiyotasını desteklediğini, ancak şiddetli ve uzun süreli fiziksel aktivitelerin bağırsak geçirgenliğini artırarak gastrointestinal problemlere neden olabileceğini göstermektedir. Dayanıklılık sporcularında %20-40 oranında görülen mide krampları, bulantı ve ishal gibi semptomlar, bu problemlerin en yaygın örneklerindendir. Gastrointestinal problemlerin yanı sıra şiddetli ve uzun süreli fiziksel aktiviteler, vücutta inflamasyon ve oksidatif stresi artırarak bağışıklık fonksiyonlarının zayıflamasına neden olabilir. Bu nedenle, sporcuların sağlığını desteklemek ve performanslarını iyileştirmek amacıyla probiyotik takviyeleri son yıllarda ön plana çıkmıştır. Probiyotikler, bağırsak mikrobiyotasını dengeleyerek sindirim, bağışıklık ve metabolizma üzerinde olumlu etkiler sunan canlı mikroorganizmalar içerir. Lactobacillus ve Bifidobacterium gibi mikroorganizma türleri, bağışıklık fonksiyonlarını güçlendirerek üst solunum yolu enfeksiyonlarının sıklığını azaltmakta ve iyileşme sürecini hızlandırmaktadır. Çalışmalar, probiyotik takviyelerinin maraton koşucularında gastrointestinal şikayetleri azalttığını, maksimum oksijen tüketimini artırdığını ve fiziksel aktivite sonrası toparlanmayı desteklediğini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, probiyotik içeren yoğurt tüketiminin sporcularda hem performansı artırdığı hem de bağışıklık sistemini güçlendirdiği rapor edilmiştir. Probiyotiklerin sporcular üzerindeki bu olumlu etkileri bireysel farklılıklar, kullanılan suş türü, dozaj ve kullanım süresi gibi faktörlere bağlı olarak değişiklik gösterebilmektedir. Bununla birlikte, probiyotiklerin performans ve bağışıklık sistemi üzerinde önemli bir etki yaratmadığını bildiren bazı çalışmalar da mevcuttur. Bu durum, daha geniş kapsamlı ve uzun vadeli araştırmaların gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır. Sonuç olarak, probiyotik takviyelerinin düzenli kullanımı, sporcuların sağlık sorunlarını azaltma, bağışıklık sistemini güçlendirme ve spor performanslarını iyileştirme açısından önemli bir potansiyel sunmaktadır. Her bireyin özel ihtiyaçlarına uygun planlamalar yapılması ve bu alanda daha fazla bilimsel araştırmaya odaklanılması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• bağırsak mikrobiyotası
• fiziksel aktivite
• Probiyotik
• sporcu performansı

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