Novel concepts highlight a holistic approach to overall health
and physical performance of athletes (professional sporters and
physically active persons), linked with their nutrition and
exposure to pollution and toxic substances affecting the integrity
of their barriers of skin and mucosal body surfaces and healthy
microbiome.
DAVOS,
Switzerland, July 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The health of athletes and
physically active people is in the focus of the current research in
the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) in
collaboration with the Sports Medicine Department of the Davos
Hospital (Swiss Research Institute for Sports Medicine - SRISM) on
the effects of environmental pollutants and nutrition on the
barrier function of the skin, respiratory tract and digestive
tract. Epithelial barrier defects play a crucial role in defense
against external influences such as viruses, bacteria, allergens
and environmental pollutants. An intact barrier function is
therefore essential for health and well-being.
While modern living conditions expose us to a variety of toxic
and harmful substances, athletes are faced with particular
challenges due to their increased risk of exposure to these
substances. Various cleaning products, air pollutants, small
plastic particles (micro and nanoplastic) and food additives can
damage the barrier function of skin and mucous membranes, which can
lead to a disturbed composition of the microbiome (skin and
intestinal bacterial flora) and chronic inflammatory reactions.
The situation is particularly challenging for top athletes. The
cumulative exposure to environmental toxins, cleaning agents, high
levels of air pollution and special nutritional conditions can
affect their overall health and sports performance. Reduced
resistance to infection; increased hygiene conditions; increased
burden of air pollution affect the health and performance of the
athletes depending on their intensity of exercise, type of indoor,
outdoor and water sports. Despite the well-known health benefits of
physical activity, athletes must therefore also pay attention to a
healthy diet and the protection of their epithelial barriers and
healthy microbiome in order to minimize long-term health
consequences and keep up with their top performance.
In addition, our studies reviewed here demonstrate how food
preferences, in particular the consumption of processed foods, can
impair the epithelial barrier function. The use of emulsifiers and
other additives in sports nutrition can lead to a disruption of the
epithelial barriers and microbiome, which is associated with an
increased risk of several diseases, such as allergies, autoimmunity
and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Together these novel concepts highlight a holistic approach to
overall health and physical performance of athletes, linked with
their nutrition and exposure to pollution and toxic substances
affecting the integrity of their barriers of skin and mucosal body
surfaces and healthy microbiome.
Link for free download: http://doi.org/10.1111/all.16221
Correspondence: Prof. Dr. Cezmi A. Akdis, MD
Director
Swiss Institute for Allergy and Asthma Research
(SIAF)
Herman-Burchard-Strasse 9
CH-7265 Davos
Wolfgang
Phone: +41
81 410 08 48
e-mail: akdisac@siaf.uzh.ch
Dr. Walter Kistler
Head of
Department, Davos Sports & Health
Spital Davos
AG
Promenade 4
CH-7270 Davos
Platz
Phone: +41 81 414
84 84
e-mail:
wkistler@spitaldavos.ch
Web: https://www.siaf.uzh.ch
https://sportsmed-research.ch
https://www.davossportshealth.ch
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https://mb.cision.com/Public/22033/4015639/9c3e20dbfb1aedd1.pdf
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Allergy - 2024 -
Kistler - Epithelial barrier theory in the context of nutrition and
environmental exposure in athletes
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SOURCE SIAF