Gut Health and Muscle Growth

By: Stephen Anton

We all know exercise is necessary for muscle growth and that our microbiome affects our health, but did you know that our gut bacteria also play a key role in our body’s response to exercise?
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Findings from a new study published in The Journal of Physiology suggests there is a direct link between the health of our gut bacteria and muscle growth after exercise. In this study, scientists gave antibiotics to a group of female mice and kept another group as control. Both ran on a weighted running wheel for 9 weeks, after which the muscles of their arms and legs were measured.
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The key findings were that antibiotic use did not profoundly affect performance, but it did deplete gut microbiome levels, causing an imbalance in the gut microbiome. As a result (it is thought), this group was slower and had less pronounced muscle growth in response to exercise.
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This study suggests that for muscles to grow following exercise, an intact microbiome is necessary.
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In humans, research has also shown gastrointestinal health in ultramarathoners is critical for performance. For example, world-class runners have more of a particular type of bacteria that provide an additional source of energy, which is thought helps them run faster.
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So, until further research is done, consuming a “gut friendly diet” seems a good start to stay healthy and perhaps help your muscles grow bigger and stronger after exercise.