While many people get by just fine with simply a balanced diet, good sleep habits, and occasional moderate exercise, athletes generally seek to push their bodies to peak performance and could therefore benefit from supplements that increase energy and support their overall health. Several supplements are available that benefit the body in ways that could be of interest to many athletes.
These supplements, in combination with a good diet and a generally healthy lifestyle, can help the body reach its best possible performance in athletic endeavors. Calcium and Vitamin D are important nutrients for the body because they help maintain the health of muscles, bones, and teeth. While these nutrients can be obtained through food, many people find themselves deficient in one or both at some point in their lives.
Supplementing a healthy diet with calcium and vitamin D can help athletes maintain their muscle mass as well as reduce the risk of injury to muscles and bones, such as sprains or fractures. Creatine is of interest to some athletes because it is a legal nutritional aid for use in sports performance. Also found in red meat and seafood as well as in supplement form, creatine can help build muscle mass when used in combination with strength training. Research also suggests that creatine supplements can help increase strength overall and contribute to maintenance of healthy muscles.
Improve your energy levels with carefully selected supplements
Iron is another essential vitamin for health and athletic performance. While many people get sufficient iron through their diet, some people experience low iron levels and corresponding symptoms such as fatigue, reduced endurance, and decreased athletic performance. If your iron levels are low, adding an iron supplement could help improve your energy levels and help your body to use energy more efficiently.
Iron supplements are more likely to be necessary for those whose diets include little or no meat, since plant-based iron is harder for the body to break down for use. B Vitamins are vital for efficient use of energy, as they aid the body in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from the food you eat. There are a variety of B vitamins, and a deficiency in one or several of these can affect how well a person is able to exercise.
Female athletes are at an increased risk for vitamin B deficiencies, particularly including:
- Vitamin B-6
- Vitamin B-12
- Niacin
Feelings of fatigue and weakness can result from a deficiency in Vitamin B, and ensuring that you have optimal levels of this important vitamin can help to improve your energy levels and support the ability to exercise effectively. Vitamin B-12 is particularly linked to energy levels, and insufficient amounts of this vitamin can cause people to feel weak and lethargic.
Vitamin B-12 comes primarily from animal products, so deficiencies are especially more likely for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Ensuring that you have appropriate amounts of the B vitamins through supplements as needed can help you maintain the energy levels necessary to pursue an athletic lifestyle.
Coenzyme Q-10 is an excellent supplement for athletes to consider because it has been scientifically proven to improve energy levels, reduce fatigue, and improve physical performance for people engaging in athletic activities. This coenzyme is located in the mitochondria of cells, where it helps the body to produce energy. Studies have consistently associated lower levels of Coenzyme Q-10 with increased fatigue.
Adding this supplement can help your body more efficiently produce energy so that your endurance and general athletic performance improve. In addition to improving physical performance, supplementing with coenzyme Q-10 can help support heart health and potentially reduce the risk of cancer, since lower levels of coenzyme Q-10 have been linked with increased risk of cancer, various other diseases, and heart failure in numerous studies.
Are you interested in improving your body’s health, physical capabilities, and athletic ability through adding the right supplements to your diet? The best way to start is to talk with members of your healthcare team today. They can advise you on the particular supplement or supplements that would best benefit your body based on your specific needs and help you to select the most effective varieties of supplements your body needs in order to be in peak health and ready to perform. Call us at 205-352-9141.
