Guts at 8,000m: Digestion During an Everest Expedition

How Your Stomach Adapts to the Mount Everest Summit region

The Digestive Shutdown

As you climb toward the Mount Everest summit, your body prioritizes oxygen for your heart and brain, often leaving your stomach behind. Managing digestion is a vital but difficult part of any successful Mount Everest expedition and Everest trekking trip.

Hypoxia and Nutrient Absorption

At Everest Base Camp, the thin air slows down the intestinal wall's ability to absorb nutrients. This is why calorie density is so important; you need to get the most energy possible out of every bite during your Mount Everest expedition.

Trekker eating a bowl of rice in a high altitude lodge
The Paradox of Appetite Loss

Altitude suppresses the hunger hormone, ghrelin. Climbers on the Mount Everest summit push often have to force-feed themselves. Liquid calories like soups and energy gels are the lifeline of a professional Mount Everest expedition diet.

Probiotics for Himalayan Health

Maintaining gut flora is essential for preventing the 'Khumbu Belly' that plagues many Everest trekking groups. Bringing your own probiotics can help stabilize your digestion for the final push toward the Mount Everest summit during your expedition.

Fuel the Machine

Respect your gut as much as your lungs. Proper nutrition management is the fuel that will carry you to the Mount Everest summit during your next Mount Everest expedition. Well done!