There are elite athletes that go on marathons. There are athletes that participate in triathlons that involve running, biking, and swimming in a span of three hours. There’s no question that these athletes are “built” differently from the average person. According to recent research, one reason could be Veillonella bacteria, which are absent in the guts of sedentary people.
Dr. Aleksandar D. Kostic and his team of researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center experimented with mice by injecting them with propionate, a fatty acid, and he discovered that they displayed increased running ability. Dr. Kostic attributed this improved athletic performance to the production of propionate. He collected fecal samples from Boston Marathon runners and sedentary individuals. Dr. Kostic discovered that the marathon runners’ microbiomes were clearly enriched with Veillonella, in contrast to sedentary individuals, with a statistically significant difference of P=0.02. He explained that Veillonella enhances the capacity to exercise by breaking down lactic acid and converting it to propionate. However, the mechanism of how propionate increases exercise capacity is unknown. Dr. Kostic and his team plan on further researching the science behind propionate.
Image Source: Towfiqu Photography
Dr. Kostic’s research on Veillonella bacteria could have vast benefits for human health. He believes that a probiotic supplement containing Veillonella can increase people’s abilities to exercise. This supplement could be especially beneficial for those with metabolic conditions that limit their exercise capacity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or coronary artery disease. Increased physical activity can also help prevent these chronic diseases and promote a healthier lifestyle.
It’s clear that certain athletes can function on another level from the rest of us. However, for many, there are more important priorities than completing a three-hour-long triathlon. One goal for all of us should be to stay physically active and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This goal may become easier to attain with research on Veillonella bacteria. With its development into a possible supplement, Veillonella bacteria could aid not only athletes but also the average person to improve their exercise abilities.
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