For years, fitness and wellness professionals have relied on a combination of movement, behavior change, nutrition and recovery strategies to help clients reach their health and performance goals. But one area of science, despite its growing body of research, has remained largely untapped in fitness programming: the microbiome. 

This complex ecosystem of trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms plays a crucial role in everything from metabolism and immunity to mental health and physical recovery. Yet for most gym owners, trainers and wellness professionals, the microbiome remains an abstract concept rather than a practical tool.

Jona, a company specializing in AI-driven microbiome analysis, is working to bridge that gap by turning gut health insights into actionable strategies. Through artificial intelligence (AI), the company deciphers microbiome patterns and cross-references them with thousands of scientific studies, offering a new way for fitness professionals to personalize training, recovery and nutrition programs.

“The microbiome is one of the most complex and dynamic systems in the body and, until now, it’s been incredibly difficult to interpret,” says Leo Grady, PhD, founder and CEO of Jona. “With AI, we’re able to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world application, making microbiome insights truly actionable.”

The ability to analyze an individual’s microbiome offers fitness professionals a new layer of insight into client health. When the microbiome is balanced, metabolism functions efficiently, helping to prevent weight gain and blood sugar imbalances. A client struggling with low energy and slow recovery times may have an imbalance in their gut bacteria affecting metabolic efficiency or inflammation levels. 

Another client or member dealing with brain fog or mood instability may be experiencing disruptions in the gut-brain axis. Even factors like hormone regulation and skin health have been linked to the microbiome, meaning trainers working with clients through menopause or those focused on longevity may find value in these insights.

A Competitive Advantage for Wellness Providers?

Jona’s approach goes beyond simply identifying bacteria in the gut. By creating a “digital twin” of an individual’s microbiome, the company’s AI platform can simulate how different lifestyle changes — such as dietary shifts, supplementation or adjustments in workout intensity — might impact a person’s overall health and recovery.

This predictive capability allows trainers, health coaches and recovery specialists to move away from a trial-and-error “dart board” approach and instead make data-driven decisions tailored to each person’s custom, biological needs.

For fitness businesses looking to stand out, microbiome testing presents an opportunity to add a profit center and expand beyond traditional services. Gyms and personal training studios, for example, could integrate gut health analysis into personalized coaching programs and training plans. Wellness and recovery centers could use microbiome insights to tailor strategies for stress management, sleep optimization or even skin health. Specialized women’s fitness programs, such as those supporting prenatal and postnatal health, could incorporate microbiome analysis to better understand how gut bacteria influence hormonal balance.

As the industry marches toward personalization, microbiome testing could feasibly become as standard as wearable technology and biometric assessments. While not a replacement for foundational fitness principles or the right education and certification, gut health insights offer a new tool for refining training programs. With AI making complex microbiome data more interpretable, fitness professionals can explore a more individualized approach to helping clients reach their goals.

The post How Microbiome Science Could Reshape Fitness and Recovery appeared first on Athletech News.

2024 has emerged as a defining year for gut health, capped off by Pendulum co-founder and CEO Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, and longevity expert Peter Attia, MD, who co-led a gut and metabolic health-focused session at LongevityFest 2024 in Las Vegas this month.

Hosted by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), the event featured the two experts delving into gut health, metabolism and longevity in a session titled “The Importance of Metabolic Health and the Relationship with the Gut: A Conversation.” In their discussions, Cutcliffe and Attia highlighted emerging scientific advancements and next-generation probiotic strains like Akkermansia muciniphila, while emphasizing the importance of medications and lifestyle modifications in addressing common metabolic wellness challenges.

Although Dr. Cutcliffe and Dr. Attia are both at the forefront in metabolic health solutions—Dr. Cutcliffe at the helm of a microbiome science-focused biotech company and Dr. Attia as the founder of Early Medical, a lifespan-centered practice—the duo emphasized that metabolic health is a complex issue requiring more than a one-size-fits-all approach.

“This is a very difficult problem to solve,” Dr. Attia noted. “And when solving difficult problems, I like to have multiple solutions.”

The discussion also explored the interconnected relationship between diet and the microbiome, highlighting how high-performing microbes stimulate GLP-1 production, generate short-chain fatty acids essential for metabolic health, and thrive on fiber- and polyphenol-rich diets. Interestingly, studies have shown that those with pre- and type 2 diabetes and obesity tend to lack such strains.

“Nutrition and the microbiome are tied at the hip… what you’re eating is feeding these microbes,” Dr. Cutcliffe said.

As Dr. Attia explained, Type 2 diabetes extends beyond insulin resistance, representing a wide-ranging dysfunction across multiple organs, referred to as the ‘Ominous Octet,’ and described it as an “organ-by-organ assessment of Type 2 diabetes.”

When discussing solutions to support metabolic wellness, Dr. Cutcliffe emphasized the importance of specific probiotic strains, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Clostridium butyricum, which also play a role in promoting weight management

“When you don’t have those strains and they’re not able to perform their function, you may not able to stimulate GLP-1 production,” she explained. “Akkermansia muciniphila has sort of emerged as a keystone strain because it also regulates the mucin layer of your gut lining.”

In addition to consuming mucin, the strain can stimulate the production of new mucin. Without Akkermansia, however, the gut lining structure is disrupted, potentially affecting GLP-1 production.

Check out Cutliffe’s recent discussion on unlocking metabolic health during Athletech News’ DISRUPT series here.

The post Gut Health Takes Center Stage at LongevityFest 2024 appeared first on Athletech News.