Effect of a Multi-Strain Probiotic Supplement on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Long-Distance Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Joanna Smarkusz-Zarzecka, Lucyna Ostrowska, Joanna Leszczyńska, Urszula Cwalina, Joanna Smarkusz-Zarzecka, Lucyna Ostrowska, Joanna Leszczyńska, Urszula Cwalina

Abstract

As many as 70% of athletes who practice endurance sports report experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as abdominal pain, intestinal gurgling or splashing (borborygmus), diarrhea or the presence of blood in the stool, that occur during or after intense physical exercise. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms and selected biochemical parameters in the serum of long-distance runners. After a 3-month intervention with a multi-strain probiotic, a high percentage of runners reported subjective improvement in their general health. Moreover, a lower incidence of constipation was observed. In the group of women using the probiotic, a statistically significant (p = 0.035) increase in serum HDL cholesterol concentration and a favorable lower concentration of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were observed. These changes were not observed in the group of men using the probiotic. Probiotic therapy may reduce the incidence and severity of selected gastrointestinal symptoms in long-distance runners and improve subjectively assessed health condition.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04530929.

Keywords: diet; gastrointestinal disturbances; gastrointestinal symptoms; laboratory tests; long-distance runners; probiotics.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Seventy individuals met the study inclusion criteria. Stage I of the study included assessment of dietary intake, GI symptoms and blood tests. For 3 months following Stage I, participants took either a probiotic (n = 35) or a placebo (n = 35). After this time, Stage II of the study was conducted in which tests analogous to those in Stage I were performed in 34 people from the probiotic group and 32 people from the placebo group.

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