Sports nutrition is imperative for athletes who want a winning edge and involves more than drinking enough water, getting a proper amount of sleep, and eating a balanced diet.
In order to benefit the most from your athletic training, gain more endurance, and reach your ultimate fitness goals, your body needs optimal levels of several vitamins and minerals.
Depending upon the nature of the sport and the specific athletic qualities it requires, such as strength, speed, endurance, or motor control, various vitamins serve a unique purpose to increase specific metabolic processes that are important to improving performance.
Here are a few vitamins and supplements to get you across the finish line:
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, also known as “Indian Ginseng” and “Indian Winter Cherry,” is one of the most important herbs of Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, which means that it can help the body manage stress-induced symptoms under fatigue with prolonged, beneficial effects. This makes ashwagandha beneficial in sports nutrition for athletes as over time, since adaptogens help to optimize mental and physical function by reducing the negative effects of stress on the body and improving energy efficiency. An eight-week study involving endurance cycling and the use of ashwagandha supplements found significant improvement in the experimental group in all parameters, with no difference whatsoever from those who had a placebo.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are some of the most important vitamins for sports nutrition as they are vital for releasing energy in the body through aiding the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Each B vitamin has specific benefits to improving and maintaining good health.
The B-complex Rundown:
B1 (thiamine): Important for organ function
B2 (riboflavin): Needed by the body to break down fats
B3 (niacin): Aids in maintaining healthy skin and supports digestion
B5 (pantothenic acid): Vital for brain health and the nervous system
B6 (pyridoxine): Supports immune health and production of red blood cells
B7 (biotin): Essential vitamin for healthy hair and nails
B9 (folate): Also called folic acid, it supports creation of genetic material and can reduce the risk of birth defects if taken while pregnant
B12 (cobalamin): Required for normal nerve and blood cell function
Although being deficient in one or several B vitamins can affect how well a person can exercise, there is little evidence to suggest that unnecessarily taking supplements will improve performance. Having a vitamin B-12 deficiency can make people feel weak and tired. As vitamin B-12 primarily occurs in animal products, vegans and vegetarians are more likely to develop a deficiency in this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency affects up to 15% of the American population and causes tiredness, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia. Other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include problems with balance, depression, confusion, and poor memory.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is a compound that provides a wide range of benefits to the body by assisting with energy production within your cells. Your body produces CoQ10 naturally, but its production decreases as you get older. One of the primary functions of CoQ10 is to help generate energy in your cells. It’s involved in making adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is produced within the mitochondria and responsible for providing cells with energy. It goes without saying that athletes need an increased amount of ATP in their body to have the boost of energy they need to perform their best.
At the same time, oxidative stress can affect muscle function which in turn has an effect on exercise performance. At the same time, abnormal mitochondrial function can reduce muscle energy, which makes it hard for muscles to contract efficiently and sustain exercise.
Studies have shown CoQ10 can help exercise performance by decreasing oxidative stress in the cells and improving mitochondrial functions. Your body does not store CoQ10, which means continually obtaining it via foods or supplements is recommended to see its benefits. It is crucial that the body absorbs as much of the CoQ10 it receives in order for you to see the benefits, which makes daily supplements ideal for athletes and sports nutrition.
Iron
Iron deficiency in athletes, also known as “sports anemia,” is common and can affect performance, according to research. Increased iron demand by the body, elevated iron loss, and blockage of iron absorption due to hepcidin bursts are all factors that can contribute to sports anemia. While it can occur in males, iron deficiency is more common in females, especially those engaging in endurance sports. Treating iron deficiency consists of nutritional counselling, eating a diet of foods high in iron, or taking oral iron supplements in the form of capsules or gummies.
Anyone who think they may have an iron deficiency, whether they are athletes or not, should speak to a doctor before taking iron supplements. It is important to have a full blood panel conducted to check their iron levels. If a person ingests excessive amounts of iron they put themselves at risk of dangerous side effects. Excess iron is stored in your organs, especially your liver, heart and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
Vitamin D and Calcium
Vitamin D and Calcium are important for sports nutrition as they can reduce the risk of injuries, such as bone fractures, by aiding in the health of bones and teeth. It is important to note that your body cannot produce calcium. The body only gets the calcium it needs through diet or from supplements.
If you do not incorporate calcium-rich foods in your diet, or if your body does not absorb enough calcium, your bones can get weak, break or fracture easily, or will not grow properly. Since bones are constantly being remodeled with old bone being resorbed and new bone being formed, paying attention to bone health is crucial for adults, especially athletes, and not only in growing children. In addition to helping the body absorb calcium, Vitamin D is important for athletes to build and maintain muscle mass.
Research shows that vitamin D plays an essential role in muscle growth and development as well as regulating muscle contractility. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with decreased muscle size and strength, particularly of the large extensor and flexor muscles of the lower limbs, essential for functional mobility, and with reduced physical function. There is evidence that these deficits can be improved by vitamin D supplementation through a fortified diet or taking supplements such as soft gels.
Crossing the Finish Line:
No matter which sports nutrition vitamins and supplements you choose to incorporate into your workout and performance routine, the source, quality, and formulation is essential. Athletes are focused on every aspect of their health and wellness which means you need to be assured of all ingredients in a supplement as well as production standards. Gummi World is a cGMP certified facility adhering to the highest levels of manufacturing practices possible.
Furthermore, the expertise of our Diamond Team brings a unique quality standard that is unmatched in the industry.
Contact Us: Call our Partner Satisfaction Expert at 830-358-9770 today to learn more about how you can create a custom sports nutrition gummy vitamin.
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