#59 - The gut microbiome in health and sport with Dr Orla O'Sullivan

Aug 14, 2023

Dr Orla O'Sullivan, a research expert on the gut microbiome, discusses the importance of a diverse gut microbiome. Topics include the impact of diet and exercise on the microbiome, the role of epigenetics, the effect of whey protein, the gut microbiome in rugby players, cyclists, and cricketers, and the importance of probiotics and fermentable fiber in maintaining a healthy gut.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Complexity of the Gut Microbiome

01:30 • 17min

Bacteria in the Mouth and Gut Microbiome

18:51 • 14min

Exploring the Relationship Between Kinase and Muscle Damage in Fitness and Exercise

32:52 • 4min

Fitness Level and Gut Microbiome Diversity

37:02 • 6min

Microbiome Changes in Cricketers when Traveling: Implications for Performance

43:12 • 3min

The Importance of Fermentable Fiber and Probiotics

45:52 • 11min

The Impact of Exercise on Gut Microbiome

56:22 • 9min

Effects of Antibiotics on the Gut Microbiome

01:05:28 • 15min

Dr Glenn McConell chats with Dr Orla O’Sullivan from the Teagasc Food Research Centre, from Ireland. She is a research expert effect of diet and exercise on the gut microbiome (the types of cells in the gut microbiome based on the DNA measurements). She has looked at the gut microbiota in rugby players, cricketers, ironman and other sports. She emphasized the importance of having a diverse gut microbiome. This is a very good episode to extend upon the episode on gut microbiota and exercise with Dr Edward Chambers (podcast episode #57). Very interesting work and a fun chat. Twitter: @OrlaOS.
0:00. Introduction
2:30. Difference between this and Ed Chalmers podcast episode
3:30. Oral’s research background
5:30. Gut microbiota sequencing
10:42. Anything known about epigenetics and the gut microbiota?
12:24. How much does the diet affect the microbiome?
15:20. How long does it take for changes in diet to alter the microbiome?
18:52. The mouth microbiota
21:58. Quantifying gut bacteria
22:49. Mechanisms that exercise effects the gut microbiota
24:30. Diet and/or exercise. Closely linked
26:25. Little effect of whey protein on gut microbiome or metabalome
28:30. Gut microbiome in rugby players
31:20. Can use creatine kinase as a proxy of fitness?
35:40. Immunity in rugby players
39:00. May need long term exercise training for microbiota diversity
41:18. Cyclists gut microbiota
43:22. Cricketers gut microbiota
45:20. Probiotics and fermentable fiber etc
47:43. Need both a good diet and exercise
51:07. Ulcerative colitis and kefir: Prebiotics vs probiotics
53:20. Fermented foods have been used for centuries
56:25. Differences in gut microbiota in difference sports
1:00:15. Protein ingestion and the gut microbiome
1:05:35. Antibiotics, the gut microbiome and fermented foods
1:10:35. Does gut microbiome diversity directly link to health?
1:15:05. Gut microbiota: nature vs nurture
1:16:20. Where is the field heading?
1:17:35. Age and sex differences in the gut microbiome
1:18:44. Takeaway messages
1:20:37. Outro (9 seconds)
Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.
The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.
He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9).
Connect with Inside Exercise and Glenn McConell at:
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Email: glenn.mcconell@gmail.com
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Not medical advice