Vitamins, Minerals, and Exercise

For those individuals that make the healthy life choice to exercise, additional vitamins and minerals may be necessary. It is entirely possible for an individual that works out to suddenly find him or herself faced with a vitamin and/or mineral deficiency. The latter fact is the result of the body’s rapid use of minerals and vitamins which are absorbed through natural, healthy food consumption. Therefore, getting vitamin supplements on a daily basis is highly recommended for those who work out each day. When an individual that exercises lacks the appropriate minerals and vitamins, he or she is also faced with diminished performance, potential fatigue, and other body ailments like cramping and pain after exercise.

A lack of the vitamin B-complex will result in a lack of stamina and potential fatigue. The recommended daily allowance of niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and cobalmin vary. An individual that exercises regularly should get 15 mg of riboflavin daily, 25 mg of niacin, 10 mg of pantothenic acid, 15 mg of pyridoxine, and 6 mcg of cobalmin daily. Thiamine, another of the B complex vitamins, is necessary on a daily basis and an individual should get 50 mg daily. Vitamin B-complex works in unison in order to improve one’s metabolic rate, to keep one’s skin and muscles in healthy condition, to improve upon immunological functioning, and to encourage proper growth of cells. A deficiency of vitamin B-complexes can result in muscular pain, and other bodily ailments.

Over-the-counter vitamin supplements which can be taken daily can ensure that an individual gets the adequate amount of vitamin A, Biotin, Folic Acid, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Selenium, and Zinc. Whether or not the individual works out strenuously or not, a vitamin supplement is recommended simply because the supplement can deliver to the body the vitamins that one may not consume in his or her regular diet. Food based vitamins are a better choice.

Individuals that work out on a regular basis tend to sweat profusely, and during the process of sweating, the body may diminish the amount of the zinc, iodine, and iron in the blood as well. Many over-the-counter vitamin supplements will help in replacing the diminished minerals that the body uses. Vitamins supplements can also deliver to the body additional calcium which is necessary for bone health, the transmission of nerve impulses, as well as the body’s ability to contract muscles properly. The more athletic an individual is, the more likely the individual require a supplement that replaces the minerals and vitamins mentioned above.

It might be a wise idea to visit a doctor to get a full physical before beginning any exercise program and after one has been exercising for a period of time. A doctor can perform blood work to determine whether or not there are any vitamin deficiencies and/or mineral deficiencies that need to be addressed either before any exercise program begins or after one has been working out for a while.