IMPORTANT VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR ATHLETES

Many strength athletes often have deficiencies in various vitamins and minerals. This prevents the body from being able to fully perform and recover. That is why it is important to know which vitamins and minerals are important for strength athletes to be able to achieve progress. In this article I will give you information about the different vitamins and minerals that are important and what they do in your body.

VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B12 benefits the central nervous system in many important ways. It helps maintain the health of nerve cells and forms nerve barrier. It also supports digestion and heart health. A B12 deficiency can lead to digestive disorders, an increased risk of heart disease, and negatively impact cognitive function. The following symptoms may indicate a B12 deficiency:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Muscle pain or weakness
  • Joint pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Memory problems
  • Concentration problems
  • Mood swings
  • Palpitations or accelerated heart rate
  • Gum inflammation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Anemia

Who is at increased risk of a deficiency:

  • Elderly with impaired digestion
  • Vegetarians and vegans
  • Smokers
  • Alcoholics
  • People with anemia
  • People with a disease of the digestive tract; Celiac disease or Crohn's disease

Vitamin B12 is mainly found in:

  • Red meat
  • Wild fish
  • Eggs
  • Dairy

Daily intake adults: 2.4 micrograms

VITAMIN B2

Vitamin B2 ensures, among other things:

  • Healthy blood cells
  • Healthy energy level
  • Healthy metabolism
  • Preventing free radical damage
  • Contributes to growth
  • Skin and eye health

Vitamin B12 works as an antioxidant and contributes to the prevention of health problems such as cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.

The following symptoms may indicate that you have a B2 deficiency:

  • Anemia
  • Fatigue
  • Nerve damage
  • A slow metabolism
  • Mouth or lip sores or cracks
  • Skin inflammation and skin conditions, especially around the nose and face (Acne)
  • Inflamed mouth and tongue
  • A sore throat
  • Swelling of mucous membranes
  • Changes in mood, such as increased anxiety and signs of depression

Vitamin B2 is mainly found in:

  • Red meat
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs
  • Green vegetables
  • Beans
  • Nuts

Daily intake adults: MALE: 1.3 micrograms, FEMALE: 1.1 micrograms

VITAMIN B6

Vitamin B6 is one of the vitamins in the vitamin B complex family.
All B vitamins, including vitamin B6, play an important role in many physical and psychological functions. However, they are best known for helping to maintain a healthy metabolism, supporting nerve and liver function, and promoting skin and eye health.

SO WHAT DOES VITAMIN B6 SPECIFICALLY DO, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Vitamin B6 is used by the body every day and plays an important role in movement and memory, energy consumption and blood flow. Vitamin B6 also helps the body maintain a healthy nervous system. It produces hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells throughout the body. It also helps with:

  • Providing energy from the food we eat
  • To keep blood sugar levels in balance
  • It works as a natural pain reliever
  • It boosts mood and also improves immunity by synthesizing antibodies that are used to protect the body.

In fact, studies show that vitamin B6 benefits can also maintain healthy blood vessels, reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, prevent kidney stones, and more to help maximize your health. Deficiencies in vitamin B6 can lead to:

  • Mood swings, such as irritability, anxiety and depression
  • Confusion
  • muscle strain
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Low energy or tiredness
  • Worsening of premenstrual symptoms
  • Worsening of symptoms of anemia

Products that contain vitamin B6 are:

  • Turkey fillet/Chicken fillet
  • Tuna
  • Avocado
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Pistachio nuts
  • Beef

Daily intake adults: 1.3 micrograms

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is only found in trace amounts in certain foods.
Furthermore, it can only be produced in our bodies when our skin is exposed to the sun. It is considered an “essential” nutrient because the human body cannot produce it without certain dietary sources and sunlight.
Calcium and vitamin D are two important micronutrients that work together in the body to support overall health. The complex relationship between vitamin D and calcium is especially crucial when it comes to bone metabolism, as both are essential for maintaining skeletal strength. Together, they support the health of the heart, brain, immune system, skin, and several other bodily systems such as testosterone production.

The body converts the sun’s rays into chemicals that are then used by the body. In particular, when UV-B rays hit the skin, a substance in the skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted into previtamin D3 (the more active form). Previtamin D3 first travels through the kidneys and liver via the bloodstream and is then converted into the hormone calcitriol.

Consequences of vitamin D deficiency:

  • Fatigue
  • Osteoporosis or bone fractures
  • Susceptibility to infectious diseases
  • Higher risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure
  • Higher risk of certain types of cancer
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Arthritis
  • Higher risk of diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Chronic pain
  • Skin problems, such as psoriasis

How can you get enough vitamin D?

  • Eating enough fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines
  • Expose to sunlight daily (do not use sunscreen!)
  • Supplement with  Vitamin D3  (25,000 IU, take with a high-fat meal)

Daily intake adults: 20 micrograms

Please note that the darker your skin color, the higher the chance of vitamin D deficiency, as the skin cannot absorb sunlight properly.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in many fruits and vegetables. It acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of inflammation and disease.

Your body also uses vitamin C to produce important compounds like collagen, a type of structural protein that forms connective tissue and helps with wound healing. Vitamin C is also needed to make other compounds, such as L-carnitine and neurotransmitters (Tyrosine, Serotonin, Noradrenaline).

Adequate intake of vitamin C improves the health of your skin, immune system and may even play a protective role against certain diseases. Consequences of vitamin C deficiencies include:

  • Slow wound healing
  • Bleeding gums
  • Bruising easily
  • Fatigue
  • Swollen gums
  • Weakened immune system
  • Frequent nosebleeds
  • Dry, flaky skin
  • Swollen joints
  • Dry, split hair
  • Gingivitis

Food sources high in vitamin C:

  • asparagus
  • Papaya
  • Oranges
  • Kiwis
  • Strawberries
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Kale
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Greenshakes  (10gr pre bed)

Daily intake adults: MALE: 90mg, FEMALE: 75mg
Note that higher intake can suppress your training adaptations. Vitamin C works anti-inflammatory. You want inflammation to occur so that muscle recovery is activated in the body, which leads to muscle growth. Therefore, do not use products that are rich in vitamin C around your workouts!  

VITAMIN A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that also acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining vision, neurological function, healthy skin, and more. Like all antioxidants, it is also involved in reducing inflammation by fighting free radical damage.

Vitamin A deficiencies may have the following symptoms:

  • Xerophthalmia (dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea)
  • Night blindness
  • Bitot's spots (accumulation of keratin on the conjunctiva)
  • Dry lips
  • Thick or flaky skin
  • Reduced immunity
  • Growth retardation in children

Food sources high in vitamin A:

  • Beef liver
  • Fatty fish (herring, tuna, sardines)
  • Eggs
  • Dairy products (milk, cheddar cheese)
  • Sweet potato
  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Greenshakes  (10gr pre bed)

Daily intake adults: MALE: 3000 IU, FEMALE: 2310 IU.
Note that these are also antioxidants, so do not use this around your workouts! 

VITAMIN E

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. It plays important roles within cell membranes and cell signaling. Other benefits of vitamin E include its role as an important fat-soluble vitamin necessary for the proper functioning of many organs, enzymatic activities, and neurological processes. Benefits of consuming more foods rich in vitamin E include treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as chest pain, high blood pressure, and blocked or hardened arteries.

Food sources high in vitamin E include:

  • Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts)
  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Mango
  • Kiwis
  • Avocado

Daily intake adults: 15mg
Note that high doses of vitamin E can suppress training adaptations, including muscle growth. 

VITAMIN K

Vitamin K is an important nutrient that plays a role in everything from bone metabolism to blood sugar control. It is the most common source, found primarily in plant foods like green leafy vegetables. In contrast, it is found in animal products and fermented foods. Foods high in this vitamin include meat and dairy products.

Vitamin K Deficiencies
Vitamin K deficiency is very serious and can lead to easy bruising, bleeding, tooth decay, and weakened bones. For this reason, it is crucial to make sure you eat a serving or two of vitamin K-rich fruits and vegetables with every meal.

Food sources rich in vitamin K:

  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Salad
  • asparagus
  • Cabbage
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Avocado
  • Kidney beans
  • Swiss chard
  • Watercress
  • Kiwis

Daily intake adults: MALE: 120 micrograms, FEMALE: 90 micrograms