Today I will be discussing the relationship between the immune system, which fights infections, and the digestive system, which breaks down food, and the impact this relationship has on athletes.
The digestive system is how we get all of our nutrients, however, it is often exposed to many outside substances because we are constantly eating. Often, healthy bacteria and nutrients are absorbed, however, bad bacteria and pathogens are often present. Because of this constant exposure, bacteria and viruses are constantly being absorbed into the digestive system. The immune system consists of cells, organs, proteins and chemicals that kill off bacteria and viruses to prevent infection. The main role of the immune system is to decide whether what is digested is beneficial or hurtful, and if the bacteria is hurtful, the immune system responds. The most common immune response to bacteria that show up in the digestive system is innate, or non-specific responses that simply kill off the bacteria and pathogens, preventing the rest of the body from being exposed to this bacteria. Bacteria is also prevented from spreading throughout the body because of the intestinal lining and other layers of cells. There is also acquired immunity, which is when a pathogen is exposed to the body enough, the immune system builds up an immunity to it and kills off those pathogens. All of these responses and features of the immune system help kill off harmful bacteria and pathogens within the digestive system to prevent harm to the body. (Sources: NutriHealth, IBS Treatment Center, LiveStrong). Now that you know more about the relationship between digestion and immune response, I’m going to talk about how this effects athletes.
Source: Blausen.com staff
As you can see, the relationship between what you eat and getting sick is strong. The saying, “You are what you eat,” really is true and if you eat junk food and food with little to no nutritious value, it will have physical effects, like getting sick more often. Athletes need to become aware of what they are putting in their bodies can affect their performance and how they physically feel. If an athlete consistently eats harmful foods or chemicals, their athletic performance will diminish due to the fact their body is focusing all of its energy on fighting infections away rather than performing to its highest level. All the parts of the body connect in some way or another and athletes who learn more about how systems relate to one another will be aware of how they can improve their performance on the field through health and nutrition.
Bacteria (yellow) being ingested by a cell from the immune system
Source: NIAID
Health and nutrition are very important factors if an athlete wants to perform to their highest level, not only to provide healthy energy, but also to prevent the athlete from getting sick and constantly being exposed to pathogens. Eating healthy, drinking lots of water and being mindful of what athlete’s put in their bodies are all ways in which athletes can stay healthy and support their immune system. Various rest days and breaks should be incorporated into athletes’ schedules so their bodies have time to heal. If an athlete is to become sick, they should also make sure to allot time to recover, so they do not push their bodies too hard and prolong their sickness. All of these solutions revolve around the core value of keeping the needs of your body in mind and feeding it with energy and health, not bringing it down with chemicals and fake food.
Source: Agricultural Research Service
Everybody should be aware of what they’re eating, the impact it has on their body and how eating right can help protect against illness. As always, this is my opinion and I am not a doctor so those with medical issues should seek the help of a professional. I hope you enjoyed this post and make sure to check out some of my other posts!
My Journey Learning the Science of Life 
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