Are you fit and healthy from the inside out? How do you know?   Test and not guess if you can...or try a food elimination plan and add in gut healing foods to create a SUPER GUT! Here are some key findings from relevant research on gut health for the fit and active individual... Increased Intestinal Permeability: Endurance exercise, particularly prolonged and intense bouts, has been associated with increased intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as “leaky gut.” This increased permeability allows for the passage of larger molecules (such as bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles) through the intestinal barrier, potentially triggering immune responses and inflammation. Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Athletes: Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, triathletes, and cyclists, frequently report gastrointestinal symptoms during or after exercise, including bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. These symptoms may be indicative of gut dysfunction or increased permeability. Mechanisms of Gut Permeability: Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the relationship between endurance exercise and gut permeability. These include decreased blood flow to the gut during intense exercise, oxidative stress, release of inflammatory cytokines, alterations in gut microbiota composition, and changes in intestinal tight junction proteins that regulate barrier function. Impact on Performance and Recovery: The presence of leaky gut and gastrointestinal symptoms in athletes may impair performance, hinder recovery, and increase susceptibility to infections and inflammatory conditions. Chronic exposure to exercise-induced gut stress could also contribute to long-term health consequences, although more research is needed to fully understand these effects. Nutritional Strategies: Nutritional interventions, such as dietary modification, supplementation with probiotics or specific nutrients (e.g., glutamine, zinc), and timing of food intake, may help mitigate exercise-induced gut damage and improve gut health in athletes. However, the efficacy of these strategies remains to be fully elucidated. Overall, while there is growing evidence suggesting a correlation between endurance exercise, gut permeability, and gastrointestinal symptoms in athletes, further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions to optimize gut health and performance in this population. Learn more by reaching out to Coach Debbie Potts at www.debbiepotts.net  https://debbiepotts.net/fit-and-healthy-from-the-inside-out/ https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/gluten-cross-reactive-foods#How_Does_Gluten_Cross-Reactivity_Work