Probiotics have become a burning issue in mainstream society. Probiotics are described as “live microorganisms, [that] demonstrate modulatory effects on pro- (i.e., IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (i.e., IL-10) cytokines” (Jager et. al, 2016, p. 1). With society starting to adapt to a more ‘natural’ way of living, the athletic realm is not far behind. Sports are becoming increasingly more demanding due to rigorous training programs. New research is showing that probiotic supplementation may be of aid when athletes are considering the best way to jumpstart their recovery towards peak performance. According to Kellman et al. (2017), athletic recovery is “regarded as a multifaceted (physiological, psychological) restorative process relative to time” (p. 1). The purpose of this evidence-based practice brief is to explore how using compared to not using probiotic supplementation impacts athletic recovery in adult athletes. The probiotics that partner with the human microbiome are a vital segment of human health as a whole. By understanding the potential impacts of probiotic supplementation, nurses could modify their nutritional education towards athletes to help them in reaching their full potential.
