2025/03/03 by Anastasiia Driuchina, Ville Isola, Juha J. Hulmi +4 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Gut microbiota and health #Muscle metabolism and nutrition #Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/15502783.2025.2474561
openalex publication_date 2025/03/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/03
BACKGROUND: Competitive sports and sports nutrition, popular among amateur athletes aiming for a lean physique, have limited research on gut microbiota. METHODS: We conducted a 46-week study to analyze the consequences of fat loss and diet restrictions in 23 fitness athletes who prepared for a physique competition. Body composition, dietary intakes, serum cytokines and chemokines, and fecal samples were analyzed. RESULTS: showing altered abundances. Fat loss also changed the predicted microbial functions responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids. Consumption of energy, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and various fatty acids decreased during the preparation for the competition, which was partly associated with changes in gut microbiota. Several cytokine levels decreased (IL1a, IL1b, IL10, and TFNα), and certain chemokine levels increased (GROa and RANTES). During the 23-week regain period after the competition, gut microbiota showed signs of recovery, with increased diversity compared to pre- and post-competition measurements. Most taxonomic changes returned to their baseline levels after the regain period. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the dynamic nature of gut microbiota and its response to fat loss and regain in non-obese fitness/physique competitors and provides novel insights into how competitive sports and sports nutrition can influence the gut ecosystem.