GLOSSARY

Proinflammatory describes promotion of inflammation in context, not a complete judgment without site and time.

Cytokines signal across immune and other tissues, with effects depending on site, timing and context. A transient exercise interleukin rise is not equivalent to chronic disease inflammation; muscle-derived signals can have different regulatory roles. Pro- and anti-inflammatory labels are contextual summaries. Nutrition does not aim to eliminate every inflammatory signal, and post-session values require sampling context rather than automatic interpretation as damage or a need for suppression.

Mucosal immunity coordinates pathogen defense with tolerance of foods and commensals, involving intestinal lymphoid tissue and secretory antibodies. Indiscriminately boosting every response is not desirable, and immune tolerance is not identical to symptom-free digestive tolerance. Athletes also need sufficient energy, sleep and training-load management. A bacterial name or isolated marker does not guarantee freedom from infection or replace assessment of recurring illness and dietary adequacy.

If symptoms recur, record food, medicines, training timing and bowel patterns; match intervention to cause and evidence while maintaining sufficient energy during assessment.

Long or intense exercise, particularly in heat, can reduce splanchnic perfusion and stress the gut. Mechanical motion, medicines and food also matter; microbes do not cause every symptom. Ischemia means inadequate perfusion for demand, not ordinary bloating. Severe pain or bleeding after exercise warrants assessment rather than continued training or adding gut supplements. Reducing exposure and identifying the cause are more useful than assigning all symptoms one microbial explanation.