Unveiling the impact of competition weight loss on gut microbiota: alterations in diversity, composition, and predicted metabolic functions.

ABSTRACT:

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

Fat loss through caloric restriction and aerobic exercise led to an increased phylogenetic diversity of gut microbiota and changes in the composition of gut microbiota, with Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroides, and Intestinimonas showing altered abundances. Fat loss also changed the predicted microbial functions responsib

SUBMITTER: Driuchina A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11881659 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature