Protein powder is a gym rat’s best friend — until now.
For those hitting the weights and looking to pack on the mass, the answer to muscle growth may actually lie with your gut — microbiome, that is.
A recent study in mice may demonstrate that a wonky microbiome may act as a muscle-growing speedbump, impairing healthy muscle growth.
Two groups of mice used running wheels over a period of nine weeks. One group received antibiotics, notorious for their side effect of eliminating essential colonies of beneficial bacteria, fungi and other microbes whose influence is far-reaching when it comes to not only the health of our digestive system, but also immune and central nervous systems.
Researchers determined that the mice that received antibiotics experienced a predictable imbalance in gut microflora, and demonstrated slower, less noticeable muscle growth.
Specifically, it affected their skeletal muscles, typically stimulated by running, in their ability to respond with growth.
This study builds upon previous research where mice without a microbiome had reduced skeletal mass, indicating that interactions within the gut are crucial when it comes to nurturing muscle mass.
Despite certain biological similarities, humans differ from these small, furry proxies in a number of ways, so consider these results with several grains of salt. For now, try reaching for some kefir or yogurt after your next workout — and if you’re really invested in getting ripped, keep an eye out for ways to eat foods that pack a probiotic punch.