Effects of Rapid Weight Loss on Kidney Function in Combat Sport Athletes.

Even though scientific literature shows numerous heath complications and performance decrements associated with rapid weight loss (RWL), its prevalence remains exceedingly high across various combat sports. The aim of this study was to thoroughly search the existing literature to explore the influence of RWL on kidney function in Olympic and non-Olympic combat sport athletes. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for the relevant studies. Only original articles published from 2005 onwards, written in English, that included healthy males and females who prompted ~5% weight loss within a week or less, were included in the study. Retrieved studies showed that creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urine specific gravity values were significantly increased after RWL in the majority of the included studies. This observation indicates that RWL caused dehydration and subsequent acute kidney damage despite various degrees of weight lost during the RWL phase, which can lead to adverse events in other body systems. Alternative methods of weight reduction that prioritize athletes' health should be considered.

Rapid Weight Loss Habits before a Competition in Sambo Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Like other combat sports, sambo has competition rules that divide athletes into categories based on gender, age and weight. Athletes in combat sports often resort to rapid weight loss (RWL) methods to be more competitive in lower weight categories and gain an advantage against lighter, smaller and weaker competitors. The aim of this study was to examine the methodology implemented by two different sambo age categories, junior and senior athletes, in order to attain RWL. METHODS: The sample consisted of 103 male sambo elite athletes (seniors/juniors: age 28.5 ± 4.3/18.9 ± 0.8; height (m): 1.7 ± 0.1/1.8 ± 0.1; weight (kg): 76.3 ± 17.8/74.4 ± 16.3; BMI (kg/m2): 25.0 ± 3.8/23.7 ± 3.9) who completed a survey on RWL. RESULTS: Athletes reported losing a mean of 5 kg starting approximately 12 days before a competition. The most common methodology reported by senior and junior sambo athletes was gradually increasing dieting, followed by sauna and plastic suit training. Less common methods adopted were laxatives, diuretics, the use of diet pills and vomiting. There were significant group differences for sauna and diet pill ingestion. Coaches and parents are influential people in the lives of athletes concerning the weight loss strategy to be adopted. CONCLUSIONS: This study's results unequivocally confirm the prevalent practice of RWL in both senior and junior sambo athletes. Although athletes prevalently chose "less harmful" methods, there is a need to inform parents and coaches of the risks and benefits of RWL.

Hydrogen-rich water reduces liver fat accumulation and improves liver enzyme profiles in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: While non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the most common liver disease worldwide, its treatment remains elusive. Since metabolic impairment plays a major role in NAFLD pathogenesis, any pharmaceuticals, such as molecular hydrogen (H2), that advance lipid and glucose metabolism could be appropriate to tackle this complex condition. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of 28-day hydrogen-rich water intake on liver fat deposition, body composition and lab chemistry profiles in overweight patients suffering from mild-to-moderate NAFLD. METHODS: Twelve overweight outpatients with NAFLD (age 56.2 ± 10.0 years; body mass index 37.7 ± 5.3 kg/m2; 7 women and 5 men) voluntarily participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. All patients were allocated to receive either 1 L per day of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) or placebo water for 28 days. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT03625362). RESULTS: Dual-echo MRI revealed that HRW significantly reduced liver fat accumulation in individual liver regions-of-interest at 28-day follow-up, as compared to placebo administration (P < 0.05). Baseline liver fat content was reduced from 284.0 ± 118.1 mM to 256.5 ± 108.3 mM after hydrogen treatment at 28-day follow-up (percent change 2.9%; 95% CI from 0.5 to 5.5). Serum aspartate transaminase levels dropped by 10.0% (95% CI; from -23.2 to 3.4) after hydrogen treatment at 28-day follow-up. No significant differences were observed between treatment groups in either weight or body composition among participants. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, the results of this trial perhaps nominate HRW as an adjuvant treatment for mild-to-moderate NAFLD. These observations provide a rationale for further clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy of molecular hydrogen in NAFLD.