The largest part of the immune system is located in the gut - around 80 per cent of the body's defence reactions take place here. If the gut is weakened, the immune function is also impaired, which in turn can have a negative impact on performance. Bikers who regularly struggle with digestive problems and infections should therefore literally listen to their gut and have themselves tested for intolerances and allergies. It is important to eat a healthy, seasonal and, above all, varied diet. This will give you the broadest possible spectrum of bacteria, and the greater the variety, the healthier the gut. Chemically processed foods and sugar should be avoided wherever possible.
"If the body still struggles with deficiency symptoms, this may be due to impaired intestinal integrity, also known as 'leaky gut'. This can occur more frequently in bikers who train a lot or too hard due to oxidative stress and can lead to the intestine not being able to adequately digest and absorb food components," says Simone Kumhofer. This can result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies. In addition, toxins and unwanted bacteria can also enter the bloodstream. This leaky gut syndrome is responsible for a number of chronic illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases, migraines and allergies.
"Just as we measure pace, watts, cadence and heart rate, it makes absolute sense to invest in your own body and health. For example, having a blood test for intolerances and allergens so as not to sublimate aimlessly," advises the expert.
Interview with Wolfram Kurschat, former Olympic racer
BIKE: In your racing career you weighed the ingredients to the gram before cooking, they say. Is that true?
Wolfram KurschatI realised early on that nutrition is a crucial pillar of success and ate as naturally as possible. In other words: potatoes instead of pasta, or fresh fruit and vegetables instead of ready-made products. I soon realised that I regenerated faster and was more efficient overall. This eventually culminated in me adjusting my energy intake depending on the time of day and weighing my food accordingly so that I only ate what I needed to perform at my best.
You are now focussing primarily on gut health. How do you do that?
During my pharmacy studies, I read scientific articles about the gut and realised that I was already eating the right things. My favourite breakfast was and still is: a mashed banana, oatmeal, a grated apple and milk. It's very digestible, provides lots of energy and the pectins and fibre it contains are important nutrients for the gut bacteria. In the meantime, this healthy lifestyle has crept into my everyday life and I mainly eat Mediterranean food. The children also like it. I also eat hearty home cooking from time to time, but I can't have an intensive workout the next day because the meat is simply harder to digest. For me, sport is all about getting the right nutrients at the right time. I also take regular courses of different strains of bacteria, so-called multispecies synbiotics.
With what success?
I keep my body weight constant throughout the year. My immune system is much more stable, I sleep better and generally feel fresher.
