Mixed
Elite-level exercise combined with high protein intake significantly increases gut microbial diversity compared to sedentary controls, with diversity positively correlating with creatine kinase levels and protein consumption.
If you are highly active, your gut microbiome likely benefits from that activity level, showing greater diversity than sedentary peers. This benefit appears linked to both the physical stress of exercise and the higher protein intake often associated with athletic diets. To support this, maintain your training intensity and ensure adequate protein consumption.
More importantly, athletes had a higher diversity of gut micro-organisms, representing 22 distinct phyla, which in turn positively correlated with protein consumption and creatine kinase.
Why this rating
Observational study with a specific population (elite rugby players); lacks a controlled intervention trial isolating exercise from diet.
Source
Exercise and associated dietary extremes impact on gut microbial diversity
Siobhan F. Clarke et al. · Gut · 2014
DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306541
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