Heat Stress Challenges and Resilience: The good and the bad of strenuous exercise

Abstract

Strenuous exercise alters intestinal function by inducing heat stress in the gut and unbalancing the gut microbiota. The resilient mechanisms of the body to oxidative stress and heat stress assist the gut to counteract the damage caused by strenuous exercise. Exercise followed by proper rest day(s) offers potential protection against strenuous exercise-induced intestinal damage by modulating the gut microbiota and facilitating gastrointestinal repair. Nutrients, such as antioxidants, amino acids, PUFAs, and NDOs, are beneficial and may contribute to intestinal homeostasis. In particular, the antioxidant ALA is potentially beneficial in preserving intestinal epithelial integrity under heat stress and oxidative stress conditions in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In the future, ALA in combination with other nutritional components may prevent or ameliorate intestinal injuries caused by strenuous exercise.