All athletes no matter what the sport is need high levels of endurance to perform to the best of their abilities. However, there are a number of factors and variable that can contribute to developing intestinal and stomach problems in athletes during events that require endurance. These could include: weather conditions, different courses, and changing levels of calorie intake, fluid intake and may be fitness levels. Often it can be very difficult to actually put one’s finger on what was the core of the problem.
When you do face a problem during endurance events it is important that everything about the day is reported, this information should include what you ate, what you drank, and at what time. Provide course information, make a note of the weather conditions. When you are making a note of what you ate and drank be sure to say how much.
There could indeed be a host of problems, but one problem may be consuming too many calories during the event. When too many calories are consumed too quickly, the stomach cannot get emptied quickly and this may cause a build up of some fluids in the stomach, which causes nausea, vomiting and cramps.
To avoid this, athletes should consume energy in the form of liquids. Liquids break down faster as compared to solid food. Solid food absorbs more energy and digests slowly as compared to liquid energy forms. When you consume liquids, you know what you are taking in and they are easier to swallow. With solid foods, you cannot afford to waste energy on digesting these when you can use all the energy you have in your body.
However, be sure not to overdo it on the fluid as well. You want to avoid stomach sloshing, a condition that occurs due to the build up of fluid in the small intestine and stomach, which results in vomiting and nausea.
While carbohydrates are essential for athletes, one must also pay attention that certain carbohydrates may contain resistant starch, which could give rise to symptoms such as bloating, gas, nausea, cramps and diarrhea. Amylose from which resistant starch is derived is one of the main components in maltodextrin, which is commonly used in many sports nutrition products today. One should only use these if they suit one’s body.
Speaking with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist can help you understand how to deal with stomach problems during endurance events. What foods should you eat, how much should you eat, what you should avoid and what liquid energy forms are the best for you, are a few answers you can find answers to. Homeopathy too can help you with natural supplements that help build your endurance and energy levels without affecting your stomach.
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