Can my microbiome help me
conquering longer distances?
But more interestingly: can others'?
In one of the most famous sports research studies on the microbiome, the bacterial composition of some runners in the 2015 Boston Marathon was studied in three parts by DNA sequencing 1 week before and 1 week after the marathon. The results showed a dramatic increase in the Veillonella bacterial species in post-marathon samples, while it was virtually absent in samples from volunteers who did not participate in the race. Veillonella utilises only lactate as an energy source. It does this by metabolizing lactate (which is passed from the blood to the intestines) anaerobically (without oxygen) to produce propionate from short-chain fatty acids, which can then be further utilized by the body. In essence, the energy source that we have been wasting is once again available to us. Although we produce very little lactate during aerobic exercise, a strenuous or high intensity exercise session creates this favourable environment for Veillonella. It is a true symbiosis that improves our performance by reducing our need for a sugar source and our blood sugar fluctuations.
This study was then repeated by the same research team with ultrarunners and Olympic-level rowers before and after a training session and similar results were found.
But the most interesting came after this: the bacteria of one marathon runner were inoculated into mice, in whom the performance array improved by more than 13% in the endurance test and inflammatory marker levels decreased. This was because the mice were able to convert lactate into short-chain fatty acids more efficiently.
But this experiment has not yet been done in humans...
So maybe it is high time to try it on ourselves...
First, we want to define in details
the parameters of the experiment
The subject of the experiment is himself a medical doctor, an MTT therapist with a background in sports.
During the experiment, a male subject of
- middle-age (47 years old),
- with average build (178 cm / 72 kg),
- in good health condition,
- free of chronic disease,
- capable of running a maximum distance of 10 km
would be enabled by a combination of exercise, sleep adjustment, diet and - microbiome transfer therapy (MTT) to cover
- within 300 days
- in 11 hours
- 90 kms of distance
at 41° 23′ N, in June, under medical supervision and with escort.
What are the building blocks of the preparation for
the microbiome run?
Gradually adapting the subject to the new conditions
Microbiome Transfer Therapy (MTT) is a complex medical intervention that requires a specialist's indication and considerable experience. Our job is to convert the microbiome of the subject to enable him to complete the set distance. In order for a particular bacteria-matrix to survive in a new host, conditions within the recepient must be be appropriate, thus we will only introduce MicroBiome Bank's UltraBiome once all life conditions of the runner are suitable. The conversion process will be monitored by regular medical testing.
PHYSICAL TRAINING
day 1-40: physical exercise only, according to a training plan. All training activities are recorded and published on Garmin Connect and Strava websites.
SLEEP ADJUSTMENT
from Day 41: adjusting the sleeping habits of the subject to enable flawless training. Sleeping patterns are recorded and published weekly.
DIET CHANGES
from day 51: gradual adjustment of the diet to the increased workload. All food and drink is recorded daily.
CROSS TRAINING
from Day 61: providing additional training (cycling, swimming, windsurfing, etc.) to further prepare the musculo-skeletal system.
MTT COMPATIBILITY TESTING
between Day 151 & Day 201: Administering TestBiome capsules for subject to find the best possible combination of lyofilized human microbiome.
MTT TREATMENT
between Day 290-298: administering UltraBiome MTT capsules to enable subject to cover teh prescribed distance.
The MicroBiome Run is planned to be completed between Tossa de Mar and Placa de Espanya, Barcelona on 15th of June, 2024. The route will be published once all authorisations are provided by the relevant authorities.
Please follow the progress of our training
from day to day
We will share the effort behind the progress
Should you have any question or would support our initiative
please, contact us
We suggest you providing a phone number for easier communication.
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The basic assumption was that, according to the literature, 4-6 teaspoons of chia per day can be consumed without any particular gastro-enteric side effects
The new plan is to dope. Completely legally. I'll be prepared, but I won't leave it to chance: I'll use my own bacteria to stay alive while I implement my new idea.
Is it possible for a perfectly average middle-aged man to change his lifestyle and, in a short space of time, achieve a level of physical performance that he was previously unable to achieve? Do we have enough knowledge to shorten this time? Will all the knowledge will gather help our patients? I have no answers to a fraction of the questions.