Performance and altitude: Ways that nutrition can help.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Immunology
• Altitude Physiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• High altitude exposure presents physiological challenges, impacting human performance.
• Altitude-induced hypoxia disrupts homeostasis, affecting multiple physiological systems, notably the immune system.
• Reduced mucosal immunity and a shift towards humoral immune response lead to immunosuppression and increased infection risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of high-altitude hypoxia on the human body through the lens of exercise immunology.
• To explore the role of immunonutrition in modulating exercise-induced immune responses under hypoxic conditions.
• To investigate the potential benefits of carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation in high-altitude environments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on exercise immunology and high-altitude physiology.
• Analysis of studies examining the effects of hypoxia on immune function during physical exertion.
• Evaluation of research on nutritional interventions, specifically carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation.

Main Results:

• High-altitude hypoxia exacerbates exercise-induced immunosuppression, increasing susceptibility to infections.
• Combined stressors of exercise and hypoxia significantly challenge the body's physiological systems.
• Supplementation with carbohydrates and glutamine shows promise in counteracting the immunosuppressive effects of exercise in hypoxia.

Conclusions:

• High-altitude hypoxia negatively affects immune function and athletic performance.
• Immunonutrition, particularly with carbohydrates and glutamine, may be beneficial for individuals exposed to high altitudes.
• Further research is needed, but these supplements could support athletes, visitors, and workers in high-altitude regions.