Avoiding Digestive Issues as a Runner

23/04/2020 32 min Episodio 3
Avoiding Digestive Issues as a Runner

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Episode Synopsis

Alleviate Runners Digestive SymptomsDo you find you suffer from digestive symptoms during training and competition e.g. flatulence, diarrhoea, nausea? Delve into digestive distress and the risk factors for its development. There are some well-known causes including: reduced blood flow to the digestive tract, anxiety, food sensitivity and much more…. Find out what may be causing YOUR digestive symptoms and learn how they could be alleviated to ensure you can attain and maintain peak running performance. Show Notes(01:51)Discover the risk factors for digestive distress in runners.(03:28)Why does reduced blood flow in the GI tract during running lead to digestive distress.(05:18)Fertility and stress connections regarding endurance sports(06:45)The impact of pre race anxiety on digestive function.(08:18)How mechanical risks (bouncing effects of being a runner) may impact on digestive distress.(10:00)A deeper look into the effects of mechanical effects (bouncing) or running on our digestive system.(13:40)A look at the foods and drinks commonly thought to trigger digestive distress for runners(17:11)What runners may do to minimise the potential effects of particular foods on digestive distress.(19:19)The impact of common “over the counter” medications on digestion.(20:43)More risk factors, such as intensive exercise or endurance running and dehydration,(22:48)The importance of resolving day to day digestive issues and looking at common gastrointestinal symptoms.(24:37)Key Takeaways from this episode:Introduce small amounts of protein/CHO pre-training and build upMinimise or remove fat/fibre pre/during trainingLimit carbohydrate intake during training (30g and 60g/h) - practice during training to work out how much you need. Practice with different CHO food sources to find out which causes no or least digestive side effectsEnsure any drinks/gels contain less than 10% carbohydrate concentration – remember most contain only 6% - but check!Remain hydrated - before and after as well as during. Guidelines suggest drinking every mile. Important to find out what works for you.Train in the environment in which you will be competingRemove or limit medications/supplements pre trainingLimit caffeine intake pre/during trainingA final thought is that having an optimal digestive system is foundational and if it’s not then our advice would be to see a nutritional therapist or other health professional to resolve issues as running and racing and all that entails will exacerbate symptoms you may experience on training runs and race days.Related Episodes:Hydration and Running PerformanceNutrient Timing for Running PerformanceEnergy Bars, Gels and Protein PowdersDisclaimer:The suggestions we make during this episode are for guidance and advice only, and are not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.If you have any concerns regarding your health, please contact your healthcare professional for advice as soon as possible.Aileen Smith and Karen Campbell met at as nutrition students (Institute for Optimum...