title: Anti-inflammatory Dietary Interventions and Supplements to Improve Performance during Athletic Training.
abstract: Despite the numerous positive effects of physical exercise, some negative physiological changes occur in long-lasting heavy training with transient dysfunction of the immune system, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress. This is the case of elite athletes, who train intensively to compete at the highest levels. However, these athletes can counteract the negative effects of heavy training, reducing acute and chronic inflammations and supporting the immune system, with nutritional and supplementation countermeasures. For this purpose, macronutrient manipulation with an appropriate use of certain supplements can be considered as an intervention to reduce exercise-induced immune changes and inflammatory risk. For example, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation may promote such immune responses in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, micronutrients play an important role in immune function; in particular, the antioxidant capacity of several dietary micronutrients (e.g., tocopherols, docosahexaenoate, and flavonoids) is very interesting to support the endogenous antioxidant defense systems of the athletes, counterbalancing the negative effects of oxidative damage due to free radicals. Some of these nutrients have potential anti-inflammatory properties as assessed by the attenuated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Key Teaching Points: Long-lasting heavy training plan and competition can lead to chronic immune suppression in athletes, increasing infection risk. Chronic exercise increases mobilization of neutrophils, decreases mobilization of lymphocytes, and decreases the absolute and relative numbers of neutrophils at rest. Nutritional deficiencies alter the immuno-system and increase infection risk. Nutrition can influence exercise-induced immune suppression. Elite athletes competing at the highest levels can benefit from nutritional and supplementation support to improve immunity and reduce acute and chronic inflammations.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacobiochemistry, Nutrition and Nutraceuticals, Department of Biology and Biotechnology , "L. Spallanzani," University of Pavia , Pavia , ITALY.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacobiochemistry, Nutrition and Nutraceuticals, Department of Biology and Biotechnology , "L. Spallanzani," University of Pavia , Pavia , ITALY.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Negro
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sport, Nutrition and Health , University of Milan , Milan , ITALY.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arcelli
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacobiochemistry, Nutrition and Nutraceuticals, Department of Biology and Biotechnology , "L. Spallanzani," University of Pavia , Pavia , ITALY.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marzatico
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D018977:Micronutrients; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: acute and chronic inflammation; diet; dietary supplements; immune system; physical exercise