Bovine colostrum supplementation during running training increases intestinal permeability

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Endurance exercise training is known to increase intestinal permeability.
• This increased permeability may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in athletes.
• Bovine colostrum (BC) has previously shown potential in reducing intestinal permeability induced by NSAIDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation can reduce exercise-induced intestinal permeability.
• To compare the effects of BC, whey protein (WP), and a control (CON) on intestinal permeability during endurance training.

Main Methods:

• Thirty healthy adult males participated in an 8-week endurance running program.
• Participants were supplemented daily with either BC (60 g/day), WP, or CON.
• Intestinal permeability was assessed using the urinary lactulose (L) to rhamnose (R) excretion ratio at baseline and after 8 weeks.

Main Results:

• The L/R ratio significantly increased by 251% in the BC group after 8 weeks.
• This increase was significantly greater compared to the WP group (21%) and CON group (-7%).
• The findings indicate BC supplementation exacerbated exercise-induced increases in intestinal permeability.

Conclusions:

• Contrary to expectations, bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation increased intestinal permeability in athletes undertaking endurance training.
• BC may enhance intestinal permeability by affecting tight junctions or increasing macromolecular transport.
• Further research is needed to explore BC's impact on adult intestinal macromolecular transport.