Fecal bile acid concentration in distance runners

Fecal bile acid concentration, fecal characteristics, bowel habits and habitual food intake were measured in male distance runners (n = 14) and sedentary men (n = 14). Fecal bile acid concentration was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower and stool weight, frequency of defecation and daily intake of fibre, carbohydrate, and protein were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher in the runners. After adjustment for differences in dietary fibre intake, fecal bile acid concentration was no longer significantly different between the distance runners and the sedentary men, but frequency of defecation remained significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in the runners. This study has identified lower fecal bile acid concentration in distance runners, which was probably due mainly to dilution of colon contents by higher consumption of dietary fibre. These findings may be relevant to the reduced incidence of colon cancer in physically active subjects.